Penola Golf Course played host to the 7th annual Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day on Friday of the October Long weekend, with over 100 players taking part in the 4 ball Ambrose competition.
The event presented by the Coonawarra Vignerons, together with the Limestone Coast’s SAFM and 90.5 TripleM, was the first of many feature Coonawarra Cabernet Celebration events, with mild spring weather providing ideal conditions for the tournament.
Coonawarra Vignerons Events & Marketing Officer Heidi Guyett was pleased with the turn out, which saw a diverse field take to the greens.
“29 teams took part this year, which is a solid number by all accounts”.
“It was great to see returning teams, as well as many first-timers who we hope to welcome back in future years. It’s an all-round great day out with Coonawarra wines being showcased throughout the day, and the opportunity for the public to mingle with the who’s who of Coonawarra” Guyett said.
“The event not only attracts teams from the Limestone Coast, but an increasing number of players from outside the region including the Adelaide Metro area and from the neighbouring Western Victoria districts including Ballarat and Warrnambool,” Guyett added.
Among the teams in attendance were presenting partners SAFM & TripleM, and event sponsors One Forty One, LV Dohnt, Teys Australia/ 36 South Beef, HRW Media and VINPAC international.
Players were treated to a glass of Sparkling Cabernet and breakfast roll before taking to the pristine 18 hole course.
Teams enjoyed the hospitality of the Coonawarra Vignerons and Penola Golf Club with wines flowing throughout the day paired with gourmet BBQ lunch featuring mouthwatering 36o South Beef steaks supplied by Teys of Naracoorte, and homemade afternoon treats.
The title of Coonawarra Golf Day Champion Team 2024 went to visiting Adelaide Hills golfers the ‘Loose Screws’ comprising Paul Searl, Troy Lynch, Gary Keith and Tim Fitzgerald producing a combined winning nett score of 54.875. The winners took home the perpetual red champion jackets and caps, along with an assortment of golfing goods donated by Golf n’ More Mount Gambier, Royal Oak Penola Dining voucher and a dozen Coonawarra wines between them.
Loose Screws Captain Paul Searl has played at the Coonawarra Golf Day on 3 previous occasions, travelling from Mount Barker with his crew of fellow golfers. 2024 marks the first time they have successfully claimed the top prize and according to Searl, this tournament is one of the most enjoyable on the calendar.
“The Coonawarra Golf Day is a great event! The Vignerons and the Penola Golf Club do a sensational job at put this day today together. The hospitality is second to none, the wines are fabulous, and the greens are in top condition- a credit to the organisers and the Penola Golf Club.” Searl said.
Runners Up Nett for the 2nd year running, by only the narrowest of margins, playing a combined nett score of 55 went to the Redman Wines Team 2 comprising of brothers Mike and Dan Redman, along with Matt McGregor and Tony Gleeson.
Presenting Partner Team – TripleM, comprising of Patrick Odonnell, Stacy FIegert, Micheal Rookas and Nick Clayton took out the title in the overall stakes, with 62 off the stick.
Following closely behind was the 2023 Coonawarra Golf Day Nett Champions ‘Castec Crushers’ Craig Foster, Reeca Carlson, Jay Wastell and Fraser Direen with a gross score of 63.
Individual novelty prizes were also awarded, with the winners selecting from an assortment of Coonawarra wines, Parker Estate Draught beer, golf ball packs and hats donated by The Lakes Caddy Shack.
Longest drive prizes for the men were won by Ben Keeping (A Grade) and Andrew Widdison (B Grade) on the 1st and Reece Carlson (A Grade) and Matt Feguson on the 15th.
The women’s longest drive was won by Gemma Winterborn (A Grade) and Dion Chandler (B Grade) on the 2nd with Indya Homes and Kelly Wyatt earning longest drive on the 12th hole.
Nearest pin prizes were awarded to Luke Davy and Indya Homes on the 9th and Dan Christian, Adrian Flowers and Indya Homes on the 13th.
A nearest the wine bottle competition was hosted on the 10th and 18th holes with individual winners each taking home a magnum size bottle of Coonawarra Cabernet, donated by Redman Wines, DiGiorgio Family Wines and Hollick Estates.
Taking home the magnums on the 10th was Andrew Ferguson and Vanessa Evans, and on the 18th the wine went to teammates Helen Myers and Sue Agars from the Blue Lake Beauties.
Organisers of the golf day were thrilled to learn that many out-of-region teams had opted to make a weekend of it in Coonawarra.
“The golf day is ideally situated ahead of the SA Labour Day Long weekend, to entice players to make the most of the extended break, bringing their family and mates along for the ride.”
“It’s exactly what we seek to achieve by planning these event days to tie in with the greater festival program, by gaining room nights, to support Limestone Coast tourism operators and encourage visitation to Coonawarra’s cellar doors” Mrs. Guyett said.
The successful day lead into the long weekend, the first of three weekends in Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations program. Throughout October an extensive array of food and wine events and tasting experiences showcasing and celebrating Coonawarra’s signature red wine; Cabernet Sauvignon, are taking place.
A full gallery of images is available to view on the Coonawarra Wine Region Facebook Page. View the album HERE
