By Noel Hoppe.
Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association’s third interclub challenge for 2026 was hosted by Dunheved Golf Club last Tuesday after a gap to allow for Easter and Anzac Day.
Despite forecast rain and early morning fog the veterans rallied to play.
Glenmore Heritage Valley dominated the final results, including the much treasured Team Event. This is made up of the best four stableford scores achieved by members of the respective clubs. The Club of the Year is decided by total points after all eight competitions have been played – Glenmore have had a run of wins until being ousted by Richmond last year.
In the final tally Glenmore with 144 finished just ahead of Wallacia (142) who were followed by Dunheved (141), Richmond and Leonay (134), Penrith (131), Springwood (118) and Stonecutters (116). The Glenmore team comprised John Matthews, Gavin Johnson, Lai Jayawardane and Dorothy Willmington.
After three interclub events this leaves Leonay in the top position with 432 stableford points. They are closely followed by Glenmore with 429, Richmond on 417 and Dunheved 414. The remaining clubs are Wallacia (394). Penrith (388), Springwood (356) and Stonecutters (343).
The individual competition were very evenly contested with six club featuring among the eight prize winners,
The Men’s A grade was taken out by the 2025 Player of the Year Paul Fairbrother (on his home course) with 37 points – but only just as it took a countback to separate him from Glenmore’s John Mathews.
In the Men’s B Grade, Scott Bailey representing Glenmore also finished ahead on a countback from Wallacia’s Julian Cuff. Stonecutters took out the Men’s C grade through Gregory McDonald, just ahead of David Kirk from Leonay who finished with 35.
In the ladies individual competition Carmen Salkeld dominated, finishing four points ahead of second prize winner Dorothy Willmington representing Glenmore.
Dorothy Willmington appears again in the mixed prize winning list – teaming up with Bobby Lees of Wallacia (after their respective playing partners were unable to attend) to record a best ball score of 45 stableford points. With this they relegated the Glenmore pair of J Towns and Lai Jayawardane to second place on a countback.
It may be also relevant to point out the Dorothy Willmington has teamed up with Wallacia men on several occasions – winning prizes with Steve Francis and Peter Cromer in recent year. I have heard Wallacia are now claiming her as a de facto member.
Stonecutters narrowly won the Men’s 2BBB competition with Gregory McDonald and Terrence Cheong combining for 43 points, just ahead of Gavin Johnson (Glenmore) and Kevin Gray (Dunheved) on 42.
The Player of the Year awarded by the WSRVGA goes to the player with the highest stableford points earned through the eight rounds conducted – but excluding any points scored at the players home club.
Now that three rounds have been completed these scores begin to become significant.
After three rounds the men’s Player of the Year tally is led by Max Loftus (Richmond) with 100 stableford points. He is followed by Joseph Kent (Leonay, 96), Peter Cromer (Wallacia, 95), Julian Cuff (Wallacia) and Philip Rashleigh (Penrith) both with 94.
Amongst the women, last years runner-up Julie berg of Penrith leads with 90 points. Following are Tarana Khanna (Springwood, 88), Suzanne Still (Richmond, 87) and Jane Mackie (Richmond, 83).
The next round of the WSRVGA interclub challenge is to hosted by Richmond Golf Club on June 23rd.