Community Golf Day 2025
The 2025 Mentone Grammar Community Golf Day held on Friday 28 March at Spring Valley Golf Club, was a resounding success. The course was in excellent condition and the weather perfect, providing an ideal setting for golf enthusiasts.
A total of 30 teams, consisting of 120 players, participated in the four Ball Ambrose Competition. Teams representing the various groups within the Mentone Grammar community, including current parents, members of The Mentonians Association, our alumni sporting groups, and current staff.
It was an early start, with the day commencing at 7.00 am for breakfast. With a flotilla of hot air balloons providing some additional atmosphere, it wasn’t long before teams headed out to their respective tee boxes for the 8.00 am shotgun start.
As the day progressed, the course came alive with laughter and cheers as teams combined their skills to par and birdie holes. The friendly competition and shared enjoyment of the game created a vibrant and positive atmosphere throughout the day.
After 18 holes, everyone gathered at the clubhouse for lunch and the awards ceremony. Linda Smith from the Mentone Hockey Club won the QuayClean Nearest to the Pin female on the 5th Hole, while Max Gibb (Class of 2021) claimed the QuayClean Nearest to the Pin male on the 10th hole. Jacky Jacob from Mentone Hockey won the GrasSports longest drive female on the 7th Hole, and Steve White, a current parent, took home the GrasSports longest drive male with an impressive 304-meter drive on the 17th hole.
The ‘Sporting Club Community Perpetual Cup,’ awarded to the best-performing team representing a TMA Sports collective, was presented to the Mentone Hockey Club team of Joshua Burt (Class of 1989), Cameron Cook (Class of 1989), Mark Evans (Class of 1990), and Tim Cocks, who finished in third place with a score of 57.375.
The ‘RB Johnston Perpetual Cup,’ recognising the best-performing team of Old Mentonians and community, was won by Scott Nish (Class of 1995), William Nish (Class of 2023), Liam O’Donnell (current parent) and Peter O’Gorman (Honorary Mentonian), who secured second place with a combined score of 57.25.
Blitzing the field to win the ‘Parents and Friends Golf Trophy’ was current school parents Rowan Ball, Chris Bull, Charles Craig, and Jarrod Poole, who achieved the overall best score of the day with 53.875. Their exceptional teamwork and skill across all 18 holes securing them victory.
Although no holes in one were recorded, a team of current parents consisting of Marcus Toovey, Kym Barron, Mark Griffen, and Stephen White managed to score an eagle on the 17th hole, adding to the excitement of the day.
The Community Golf Day organising committee would like to extend their compliments and gratitude to the Spring Valley Golf Course and their staff for the excellent presentation of the course and their hospitality throughout the day. They would also like to extend their appreciation to the volunteers and staff from the Parents and Friends Association and The Mentonians Association for their collaborative efforts in making the day a resounding success. A special note of appreciation goes to the event sponsors; QuayClean, GrasSports, St Ali, Hunter Industries, LOD, Chartwells, JBS, True South, and MM for their invaluable support, which significantly contributed to making the event a triumph.
The Mentone Grammar Community Golf Day is all about bringing together members of the Mentone Grammar community for a day of friendly competition, enjoyment, and community spirit and maybe a gentle reminder to have a golf lesson or two!
Joshua Burt (Class of 1989)
Convenor, Mentone Grammar Community Golf Day
