Penola Golf Course has played host to the fourth annual Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day presented by the Limestone Coast’s SAFM and 963 TripleM.

The golf day was the first of many feature events to take place during the month-long Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Festival.

Twenty-six teams converged on the golf course with 104 players enjoying the hospitality of the Coonawarra Vignerons with wines flowing throughout the day.

Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing officer Heidi Eldridge was pleased with the turn out, which saw a diverse field take to the greens.

“This year we had an equal amount of winery teams, sponsor teams and public teams from across South Australia.

“It’s a fabulous networking event that not only attracts players from the Limestone Coast, but an increasing number of teams from the likes of Victor Harbour, Mount Barker and corporates from Adelaide,” she said.

“It was great to see many returning players, 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.”

Players started the day with a traditional glass of Sparkling Cabernet, to acknowledge and celebrate the first day of the Cabernet Celebrations festival before taking to the pristine 18-hole course in the 4 player Ambrose competition.

The DiGiorgio Family Wines team led by Katie Lewis produced a winning nett score of 53 7/8, taking home the perpetual red champion jackets, along with an assortment of dining vouchers and a dozen Coonawarra wines between them.

The red jackets will see the winning team gain VIP access to Cabernet Celebrations events throughout the month of October.

Renowned Mount Gambier golfing specialist Bill Burley and member of the DiGiorgio’s team praised organisers for the day and for the condition of the course.

“The vignerons have done a sensational job to put this day together,” he said.

“The greens are in top nick – credit to the Penola Golf Club..”

Runner Up Nett Winners went to first time event sponsors OneFortyOne, with Team 1 comprising Steve Fritsche, Ken Whitehead, Mark Forster, and Craig Nesbitt playing a combined nett score of 56 ¾.

Results were tight in the overall stakes with only one ball between the overall gross winners and runners up.

Defending champions Mount Gambier youngsters Jayden Eldridge, Jake Dempsey, Travis Younghusband and Matt McCallum were the overall gross winners with a score of 61, narrowly missing the taking out the title of back-to-back champions.

Following closely behind were the presenting partners Team Austereo SAFM and TripleM with a gross score of 62, comprising Patrick O’Donnell, Tony Steen, Michael Rookas and Stacey Fiegert.

Coonawarra Vignerons patrons Wendy Hollick and Doug Bowen presented the team awards, as well as various individual novelty prizes for longest drive and nearest the pin.

Individual novelty prizes were awarded to ‘Speedy’ Munro – Longest Drive on the 1st and Jayden Eldridge – Longest Drive on the 15th, Julie Moran – Longest Drive on the 2nd and Alex Lambert – Longest Drive on the 12th, David Pick and Katie Lewis- Nearest to the Pin on the 7th, Jeremy Briggs, and Karen Cahir – Nearest to the pin on the 9th, and Bryan Morgan and Alex Lambert – Nearest to the pin on the 13th.

Ms Eldridge said organisers 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 long weekend to entice players to make the most of the extended break, bringing their family and mates along for the ride,” she said.

“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.”

Ms Eldridge said the successful day led into the long weekend, the first of five weekends in the month-long festival.

“Throughout October an extensive array of food and wine events and tasting experiences showcasing and celebrating Coonawarra’s signature red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, is taking place,” she said.