Penola Golf Course played host to the 7th annual Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day, with over 100 players taking part in the four 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 and Marketing Officer Heidi Guyett was pleased with the turnout, which saw a diverse field take to the greens.
“Twenty-nine teams took part this year, which is a solid number by all accounts,” she said.
“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.
“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.”
Among the teams in attendance were presenting partners SAFM and TripleM, and event sponsors OneFortyOne, 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 barbecue 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 three previous occasions, travelling from Mount Barker with his crew of fellow golfers.
This year marked 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,” he said.
“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.”
