General News
20 August, 2026
Record fields contest four days of golf
There was a great start to Hopetoun's four-day tournament with 22 ladies taking to the course on August 13 for the ladies' 4BBB.
Congratulations to all our winners.
Results: winners – Donna Vivian & Fleur Finlayson, 48 points, runners-up – Rachael Watson & Marianne Ferguson, 46 points, best nine out – Kim Decker & Lizzy Castleman, 23 points; best nine in – Kate Hood & Stacey Wallis-Radbone, 22 points on a countback from Debby Barling & Julie Koschitzke; nearest the pins – 1st, 2nd shot Fleur Finlayson, 5th Gwen Gniel, 11th Mez Ferguson, 15th Vivian Hiscock, 17th Kate Wilson; longest drive under 60 – Stacey Wallis-Radbone; longest drive over 60 – Debbie Gniel; nearest the lLine – Debbie Lowe
In front of the tournament crowd, Dawn Lehmann and Jill Wilson were presented with life memberships in recognition of their incredible contribution to our club.
Jill has given more than 40 years of service as a player, volunteer and committee member, holding many roles including captain, secretary and secretary/treasurer.
Dawn’s contribution spans more than five decades, serving in numerous roles including president, vice-president, treasurer, kitchen secretary and ladies' representative on the men's committee.
It was very well deserved recognition for two ladies who have given so much to Hopetoun Golf Club.
Congratulations Dawn and Jill, and thank you for your many years of dedication to our club.
The course was looking spectacular for the guys’ turn on Friday for the men’s 4BBB.
Another record field of 84 golfers enjoyed excellent conditions.
In division 1, Steve McCullough and Brett Rogers were the prime example of team spirit and encouragement on their way to 45 points and top of the leaderboard.
One point behind them were Jack Landrigan and Jack Flavel on 45, claiming second place on a countback from Justin Oakley and Rory O'Halloran.
In division 2, Adam Kelly and Jake Augustine left the field in their wake with an incredible 51 points.
Heath Johns and Phillip Gibson claimed runner-up honours with a fine 46 points.
Justin Oakley and Rory O'Halloran claimed the best nine out with 24, while Daniel Watson and Steve Paton had the best nine in with 23.
G Launer claimed nearest the pin on the first with 4.48 metres.
Dale Schmid stuck one to 2.5m on the 5th, while Brad Watson was 3.5m from the 11th.
Steve McCullough was a similar distance on the 15th, and Rob Cole was within 3m on the tricky 17th.
Dale also claimed longest drive in division 1 and nearest second shot on the 8th.
Greg Bellinger claimed nearest second on the 12th.
M Rabone claimed the division 2 longest drive, and Rodney Bound hit the longest drive for the over 60s.
The straightest drive on the 4th went to Ian 'Bluey' Kellett.
The club was honoured to present our captain Graeme Puckle with life membership at Friday's event.
Anyone who's visited the club knows of Graeme's accomplishments both on and off the course.
There is now not an honour board that doesn't carry Graeme's name, most notably for his eight club championships.
He's also had long stints as president and captain of the club.
Off the course, Graeme's work is evident everywhere.
From fundraising to infrastructure and equipment, Graeme's dedication and hard work at the club will stand out for many years to come.
Saturday saw 51 players take part in the men's and ladies' stroke events in perfect conditions.
In the men's gross event, Brad Watson claimed top honours with an excellent 75, one clear of Jack Flavel.
In the ladies', Therese Wellington topped the leaderboard with 100 from Kate Wilson.
In the nett event, Tom Huf carded a 66 nett, three clear of Tim Ferguson on 69.
In the ladies', Rachael Watson won the day with 79.
Mez Ferguson claimed a three-way countback from Gwen Gniel and Rhiana Paton.
Nearest the pins: 1st Graeme Puckle, 5.89m, 5th Nigel Hallam 77cm, 5th Kate Wilson 7.5m, 11th Marc Edelsten 3.46m, 11th Mez Ferguson 21.2m, 15th Jack Landrigan 4.89m, 15th Kate Wilson 16.5m, 17th Tim Ferguson 5.79m, 17th Leah Franklin 11.1m, 8th second shot Christian Schmid, 12th second shot Leighton Hateley, 1st second shot Kate Wilson, longest drive 0-18 Sam Whitfield, longest drive 19-36 Adam Kelly, longest drive over 60s Ron Gniel, longest drive ladies Kate Wilson
longest drive over 60s Gwen Gniel, straightest drive Clint Castleman, Deb Gniel
Our junior open was played in the morning, with 15 intrepid young golfers taking to the fairways to compete for the Peter Hallam Memorial Ttrophy.
Topping the overall leaderboard and overall boys was Murphy Jochinke, with Ned Jones claiming the runner-up trophy.
Ariat Decker claimed the overall girls' competition, and Marley Jones claimed the girls' handicap.
Harry Watson claimed the boys' handicap event.
Thanks to all our caddies and ball donors for another great junior event.
A record field of 108 golfers rounded out our 2026 tournament at the four-person ambrose on Sunday.
Winners for the day with a nett 54.5 were Rachael and Daniel Watson and Rhiana and Steve Paton.
Runners-up on a countback were Jack Landrigan, Jobe Landrigan, Jack Flavel and Shainna McNamara on 55.37.
Best nine in went to N and T Williams, N Robertson and I Emerson, while best nine out went to Leighton Hateley, Ned Jones, Luke Mitchell and Troy Pilmore.
Nearest the pins: 1st Adam Gould 7.79m, 5th Daniel Watson 50cm, 5th Libby Lacey 14.8m, 11th Charlie McCurdy 4.65m, 11th Rachael Watson 21.2m, 15th Phillip Gibson 1.53m, 15th Leah Franklin 81cm, 17th Marc Edelsten 19cm, 17th Tahlia Durie 13.1m; longest drives Az Glen and Libby Lacey; straightest drives Phillip Gibson, Alison Fisher
Nearest the pins over the tournament: 1st G Launer 4.48m, 5th Daniel Watson 50cm, 11th Marc Edelsten 3.46m, 15th Leah Franklin 81cm, 17th Marc Edelsten 19cm
Thanks to all our amazing volunteers on the grounds crew, in the kitchen, on the barbecue, in the bar, in the office and out on the course for a fantastic tournament.
A massive thank you to our sponsors who ensured there were some great trophies on offer and that we were able to field another record-breaking event.
And to all those golfers who took part, a big thank you for supporting our club.
We're proud to say that 279 golfers competed over the four days, marking a fifth consecutive increase on the previous year and a great result for golf in Hopetoun.
– TOM HUF