2023 Echunga Women’s Open Day

The field of 100 filled very quickly once entries opened In January. The Women’s Captain and Committee, aided by numerous volunteers, put in many hours of work.  This made for a successful day, with all involved having a great game of golf, a lovely lunch and the opportunity for some fabulous raffle and competition prizes.

A beautiful morning tea with home-made biscuits and slices greeted the competitors as they arrived, registered and purchased raffle tickets. In the end 96 Women, from 18 Clubs, teed off on a day of temperate weather. (Luckily the previous week’s heatwave had finished). The Women played Canadian Foursomes. In this format, both players in the pair hit a tee shot, then choose which ball they want to continue with, hitting alternately until holed out.

The ground staff presented a beautiful course, despite issues with sprinklers on the back 9, which had only been finally resolved a matter of a few days beforehand. There were numerous kangaroos to be spotted as players moved around the course, one of the charms of this area.

Jill Sommerlad, our Women’s Social Convenor, with her helpers, had gone to a lot of effort with table settings. The Women enjoyed a lunch of chicken with salad and a potato gratin, followed by tiramisu and strawberries. Many thanks to our Bar Manager, Ben and his catering team.

The door prize was once more donated and drawn by Leonore Steer.

A substantial raffle with prizes donated by Women members, local businesses and with first prize being accommodation at the Swan Reach Hotel, was then drawn.

Following this, Women’s Captain, Pam Gray, welcomed all the players, thanked helpers, sponsors and announced the prize winners.  Top results were:

Best Gross: Sun mi Bae (Thaxted Park) and Joy Shin (North Adelaide) (86)

Runners Up Gross: Collette Scott (Grange) and Paula Bottom (Royal Adelaide) (93)

Best Nett: Elizabeth Handsaker and Shirley Cain (Echunga) (66)

Runners Up Nett: Marg Rigby (Echunga) and Denise Ross (Links Lady Bay) (66.5)

Prizes were awarded through to 8^th best nett with a further ball countdown for the next 12 places. Bottles of wine were awarded for A, B and C Grade Nearest the Pin and Accurate Drive. It was pleasing to see a good representation of Echunga women in the prize list.

We would like to thank the generosity of our Sponsors, Neutrog Fertilisers, On Course Golf Mount Osmond, The Hagan Arms, Jurlique, Beerenberg and the Swan Reach Hotel. Last, but most certainly not least, thanks go to the volunteers who spent countless hours organising the event, wrapping prizes and raffle prizes, preparing player’s cards with handicaps, preparing the clubhouse and pins, serving the food and cleaning up afterwards. A special mention to Janet Petherick, who, while not playing was at the Clubhouse on the day, doing whatever was needed and keeping us on the straight and narrow. The day was an undoubted success.

Pam Gray
Echunga Golf Club
Women’s Captain