2026 Don Lawrence Trophy Report
The Don Lawrence Trophy is one of the Golf Society’s oldest events, and a field of 32 players enjoyed perfect autumn weather for the 2026 contest.
Players gathered at Woodlands GC on May 12th to vie for the Trophy which honours the late Don Lawrence. Don was golf writer for The Herald and The Age newspapers, a foundation member of the GSA committee in 1982, and served as GSA president 1992-94.
The format is 4BBB Stableford, and this Trophy is keenly contested. Historic Woodlands, at the southern edge of the famed Melbourne Sandbelt, was in great condition and scores were impressive. Winners of the Don Lawrence Trophy were Spring Valley pair John Scheffer and Cec Bailey with 45 points. They pipped the defending champions John Mann and Simon Hibbins, who were runners-up with 44 points.
John Scheffer was in good form, winning both men’s NTPs. The women’s NTPs went to Woodlands member Kay Mahlook and Roz Farrell, a guest from Huntingdale. Prizes for best front 9 score went to John Mann/Simon Hibbins with 24 points, and best back 9 score of 23 points c/b was won by Woodlands and esteemed GSA members Graeme Grant and Kay Mahlook.
A special guest at this year’s presentations in the clubhouse after play was Suzanne Timms, daughter of Don Lawrence. Suzanne and her husband Terry brought along a number of items of Don’s memorabilia, all of which demonstrated the esteem that the golf world held for Don. During his golf reporting, Don was credited with creating the nickname the Golden Bear for Jack Nicklaus. One of the items was a framed article by Ron Reed from Sports Extra. Its tells the lovely story how the famous and lucrative moniker came about.
The Golf Society thanks the Woodlands golf shop and clubhouse staff for hosting the event so successfully.
John Trevorrow
A bit about the career of Don Lawrence…
https://golfsocietyaust.com/wp-content/uploads/about-Don-Lawrence.pdf
2025 Winners John Mann and Simon Hibbins
Regards
Marty Maguire
Don Lawrence Co-Ordinator
Golf Society of Australia
Email events@golfsocietyaust.com
