Battle for the ‘Tormey Taylor’ Shield begins

Team Rael’s in form golfer, Ian McMinn with mark Donavan, Greg Urquhart and Tony Battaini watching on as the powerhouse launches into his drive on the first. PICTURES: SUPPLIED

By Ian Callen

Under overcast skyies, RACV golfing members took to the ‘Healesville Country Club Course’ last Thursday accompanied by a gradually increasing northerly in pursuit of the inaugural ’Tormey Taylor’ Shield.

By day’s end, Team Nicholson’s Peter Gebert had produced a masterful round to find himself a top, of the leaderboard; with 40 points, a point clear of his captain Laurie Tormey, deputy Tony Druitt and a further point back, Rob Hennessey.

This left their team well placed to take the first round points.

Other notable rounds came from Riddell’s Geoff Cooper, Tony Battaini and Rael’s Rob Johnston and Ian McMinn.

NICHOLSON:

Peter Gebert 40

Laurie Tormey 39

Tony Druitt 39

Rob Hennessey 38

Fred Lloyd 35

Jan O’Brien 34…. 225

RIDDELL:

Geoff Cooper 37

Tony Battaini 36

Max McIntosh 35

Bruce Pollard 34

David Egan 33

Malcolm Moore 33…. 208

RAEL:

Rob Johnston 36

Ian McMinn 36

Brenton King 36

Kennith Emslie 33

Howard Vaughn 32

Greg Urquhart 32…. 205

On the Saturday, play began In light drizzle, with Team Rael and Riddell hoping the weekend play would help them claw themselves back into the contest, but it wasn’t to be.

Rain soon became torrential and the course unplayable, leaving Tuesday’s play their hope.

Play was officially abandoned on Saturday at 11:30 with green’s underwater.

Many thanks to the RACV who are providing the Tournament Shield and individual medals for the winning team list at the conclusion of the tournament and assistance with an evening to celebrate the inaugural premiers, including a vote count to determine the “Tormey Taylor Medalist” for 2023: and

Tony and Jenny from’Many Hands Winery’ are offering (Peter Gebert) a bottle with a Monday lunch for the ‘Player of the Week Award’ and:

For the winning ‘Team List‘ each round, on the presentation of a RACV season pass holders card the ‘Alba Paloma Cafe’ are offering two free coffees with a breakfast order.