Golf: Langford, Martin reign supreme again

Judy Langford put herself just one Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort ladies’ championship title away from record holder and club life member Karen Droop last Sunday.

Crowned champion for the 12th time, Judy claimed the 2026 title, finishing six strokes ahead of runner-up and last year’s first-time winner, Aileen Buckley.

In equal third place, a further two strokes back, were Dot Brodie and multiple club champion Judy Kruger.

It was Dot’s third consecutive third-place finish. She had led by one stroke after both the first and second rounds.

The legendary Karen Droop, who has won 13 titles since the club championship began 99 years ago, in 1927, claimed the OBE award. Much to the laughter of the big crowd at the presentation evening, Karen declared: “How good is it to be over bloody eighty!”

Playing off a handicap of 11, Judy Langford’s three-round total of 258 was far from her best golf. But her experience, coupled with thoughts of her late, accomplished golfing parents, Allan and Lorna Zotti, helped her produce solid golf when it mattered.

“It was a three-way contest,” the 65-year-old retired nurse said.

“The actual scores didn’t matter to me – I just wanted to make par or bogey. On the back nine, my putter got me over the line. I’m guessing it was solid.

“I think Mum and Dad really helped today. I was definitely thinking of them and talking to them.”

They would be proud of you, Judy.

Following her announcement as A Grade champion by ladies’ captain Louise Cross, Judy received a standing ovation as attendees raised their glasses to the popular champion.

“Fantastic” was the word used by club president Andrew Shell to describe the presentation evening numbers, the quality of the Lake and Murray Courses, and the running of the big event by the pro shop, particularly Baxter Droop.

Jay Ar rallies to claim 15th title

Trailing by six strokes after the first round, Jay Ar Martin had to play top golf over the remaining two rounds to claim the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort’s 2026 men’s championship title.

Martin, off +2, fired par rounds of 72 for a total of 222, six strokes ahead of second placed Troy Robinson. Robinson, off square, led by six strokes after his excellent first round 72.

But Robinson stumbled with a second round 79 to place him one behind the little master going into the all-important final round.

Martin, Robinson and their two playing partners Cooper Holmann and Craig Hicks played some wonderful shots which received spontaneous applause from golf fans.

Spectators at the back of the Par 4, 15th Lake Course hole loved witnessing the 268-metre uphill drive into a breeze drive from13-year-old Cooper which arrived at the green. The most impressive youngster finished in third, nine strokes adrift of Martin.

Jay Ar was as solid as a rock when it really mattered, gradually drawing away from rivals with pinpoint accuracy and the threat of several birdies.

He didn’t want the emphasis put on his golf but rather the number and quality of youngsters in the event.

“I just come out to enjoy myself these days,” the 42-year-old production operator at Thales Australia in Mulwala said.

“Young Cooper made me play solid. It’s just great to see more youngsters playing golf and in this event - the likes of Cooper, Tom Hicks, Cody Costello, Baxter Donovan and Tate Thomson.”

After Sunday’s round, there was another big round of applause for the popular winner, at the presentations.