Over the weekend of the 8th and 9th March the 90th MELVISTA CUP was played on Saturday and the MIXED OPENING DAY event on Sunday.
Apart from light drizzle greeting the players on Saturday, both days saw fantastic Autumn weather with temperatures in the mid to high 20’s.
MELVISTA CUP
In the early 1930’s Melvista Avenue was known as Mackay Road up to Dalkeith Road and from there on it became Alice Road.
A competition was held among school children to come up with a “single” name. A youngster named Lapsley won the competition with MEL (Melvista Waters) and VISTA (View).
And so, the Opening Day Trophy is named after the street running past the course/clubhouse – Melvista Avenue
110 players were all keen to win the season’s opener. Some were trying to win the Cup for a second time, and Paul Henderson for an unprecedented third time. Included in the 2025 field were the following previous winners –:
Tony Slee (1980), Tim Tan (1995), Vince Caruso (1996), Paul Henderson (2002 and 2006), Mark Green (2015), Wayne Trumble (2018), Scott van Heurck (2020), Wilfred Ong (2022), Mark Matthews (2023) and the Defending Champion Joe Alexander
Saint Quentin Dental, courtesy of Past President Tim Tan, continued their sponsorship of the opening of the season event and we thank Tim for his support.
Tim Tan (1995 Winner, Greg Polla, Wilfred Ong (2022 Winner) and Ian Macdonald
With the new greens in play and running at around 11 feet, it was a close-run thing in the morning with Jack Ellis (4 H’Cap) leading the way with 3 up – courtesy of two pluses on his final two holes – the 4th and 5th. His two nines were 2up and 1 up and a gross score of 1 down – impressive golf.
Next was David Liu (15 H’Cap) on 2up – consistent nines of 1 up and of course 1 up.
Perhaps the sad story of the morning belonged to Tim Song (16 H’Cap) who was going nicely after 13 holes – 5 up cruising and preparing his victory speech – not to be, 3 losses in the next 4 holes saw him drop back to 2 up and that is where he finished.
Next was David Morey (20 H’Cap) on 1 up and spare a thought for Tim McRostie (17 H’Cap), who it must be said has not been in the best of form in recent months. Starting from the 6th he was 3 up after his fist nine and then “Amen Corner” got him – 4 losses from holes 15-18. He did recover and had two pluses in his final 5 holes to finish 1up.
In the afternoon Don Inglis YES Don Inglis from his 24 Handicap was firing on all cylinders – 2up after nine but back to square after 13 holes. 3 pluses over the next 4 holes saw him head to the last needing a plus to hit the front – a half would not be good enough. And a half resulted putting him in 2nd spot.
Andrew Bell, also playing off a 24 handicap was creeping up the leaderboard – 1up after 9 extending to 2 up after fourteen. Then things tightened up and he finished with 3 wipes and a half – 1 down.
The defending Champion, Joe Alexander and Wednesday’s winner “Birthday Boy” Tony Cowan were having a day to forget – finishing in joint 105th position. Sunday may be a better day for them – I hope!!
So, was there anyone else with a chance? The 2024 runner-up Paul Jenkins (27 H’Cap). After a 3 down front nine fought his way back to be 1 up with 3 to play and on a roll. That ceased and losses on 16 and 17 and a half on the last saw him drift back to finish 1 down.
Congratulations to the 2025 Melvista Cup winner, Jack Ellis winning on a countback from a determined Don Inglis – both on 3up.
Once again, a big thankyou to Tim Tan for his continued sponsorship of the Melvista Cup – the Men’s Opening Day.
The Winners were-;
WINNER Jack Ellis (4) 3 up
Runner- up Don Inglis (24) 3 up
“A” Grade Andrew Ogilvie (8) Square
“B” Grade David Liu(15) 2 up
“C” Grade Jaco van Zyl (34) Square
Best Gross Callum White (2) 4 down
Best past winner Mark Green (10) Square
Editors Footnote – Only one of the top 4 placegetters was present to be greeted by the Sponsor Tim Tan. It is disappointing that winners are not in attendance at presentations – not just this Major Event but all events on the calendar – it is appreciated that for whatever reason people cannot make it back but surely one can make a personal apology.
Sponsors, Captains and Vice Captains and Sponsorship Coordinator Greg Paddon must feel disillusioned with the increasing lack of courtesy and member support of presentations.
MIXED OPENING DAY
The Mixed Opening Day was played on Sunday 9th March and Cath Bellemore and Paul Baster continued their sponsorship of the event. A beautiful day for golf was welcomed by the 48 players (24 pairs) playing in a Mixed 4 Ball Stableford event.
With the first 3 placegetters from 2024 not playing this year it opened the door for new winners, or could the 2023 winners – Veni Tang and Gary Hing win again?
There were however numerous specialist Mixed Event winners in the field and if there was to be a new name(s) added to the list of mixed event winners they had better be good.
The defending champs tried valiantly but came up short – nevertheless a creditable top ten finish.
So, let’s look at the leaderboard after 9 holes-;
STARTING HOLE, PLAYERS and HANDICAP SCORE
1.Jan Halliwell (27)/Mark Dwyer (23) 23 Points
2.Anne-Marie McNaughton(20)/Stuart Waters (9) 23 Points
5.Marg Doyle (20)/Mackenzie Buck (7) 23 Points
6.Rhonda Moore (17)/Joe Alexander (12) 22 Points
So, it was a very close-run affair and it was a matter of who could keep up the momentum.
Let’s look at the leaderboard after 14 holes-
STARTING HOLE, PLAYERS and HANDICAP SCORE
5.Marg Doyle (20)/Mackenzie Buck (7) 35 Points
1.Jan Halliwell (27)/Mark Dwyer (23) 34 Points
2.Anne-Marie McNaughton (20)/Stuart Waters (9) 34 Points
6.Rhonda Moore (17)/Joe Alexander (12) 33 Points
So, it looked like a race in 4 for the Gold Medal Position –
It appeared as though things got a little tougher over the last 4 holes where 3 of the 4 groups in contention could only manage 7 points – one under evens.
Marg and Mackenzie finished 1 point on the 1st then 1,2,3 for a total of 42 points
Anne-Marie and Stuart finished 2 points on the 16th and then 1,2,2 – 41 points
Rhonda and Joe finished with1 point on the second and then 3,2,1 – 40 points
And then there was ONE PAIR left standing – Jan and Mark,
How would they finish?
ANSWER – A lot better than the other 3 pairings – 3points on the15th and then 3,2,3 = 11 = 3 points better than evens,
FINAL SCORE 45 Points and the 2025 Champs. Well done. To beat a star-studded field is no mean feat.
Some hard luck stories –
Jamie Wehr (37) and Fred Wehr (21) had a measly 15 points on their front nine but stormed home in 25 points (including 7x 3 pointers) and a total of 40 points and a share of 4th position.
Sally Wehr (29) and Matt Hayes (26) also finished on 40 points. Their card was spoilt by 3×1 pointers and a wipe.
Krystyna Knottnerus (21) and Tony Cowan (20) also had 40 points but a single point on their final hole, the 8th, or one less 3 putt!!! cost them third place.
Congratulations to Jan Halliwell and Mark Dwyer on an excellent win.
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1.Jan Halliwell (27)/Mark Dwyer (23) 45 Points
2.Marg Doyle (20)/Mackenzie Buck (7) 42 Points
3.Anne-Marie McNaughton (20)/Stuart Waters (9) 41 Points
- Sally Wehr (29) and Matt Hayes (26) 40 Points
5.Rhonda Moore (17)/Joe Alexander (12) 40 Points
6.Krystyna Knottnerus (21) and Tony Cowan (20) 40 Points
7.Jamie Wehr (37) and Fred Wehr (21) 40 Points
Editor’s comment- As a result of her excellent golf Jan Halliwell has been rewarded with a reduction in her GA Handicap from 25.5 to 25.1 Playing Handicap reduced from 27 to 26.
Finally, thanks once again to Cath Bellemore and Paul Baster for their support of the Opening Day Mixed and congratulations to all the winners.
Congratulations to Brad Hebble and his team – the new greens provide an excellent putting surface, the new bunker sand seems to have been accepted positively and the fairways are excellent.
Thanks to Alvin for providing the plates after play – terrific variety. And of course, the House staff for the refreshments.
The next mixed event on the calendar is the Millenium Cup (a mixed 4 ball Par event) which is scheduled to be played on Sunday April 7 and sponsored by Nikki and Fred Wehr
The defending Champions are Nikki Bellemore-Thomas and Don O’Brien.
The season is now officially open and we wish everyone happy golfing in 2025.
From Greg Fitzhardinge
