President’s Trophy – Royal Melbourne Golf Club – 11 August 2025
Our popular but quirky competition has been run and won
We give thanks to Mango Maguire who wrote the event report and captured our day to a tee.. enjoy!
The 2025 President’s Trophy was conducted in magnificent late-winter sunshine at Royal Melbourne GC, on August 11th. The breezes were light, the terrain firm, and the scents of wattle were drifting in the warm air.
23-players attended for a 3-tee tee-off on the West Course, with 9-holes of stroke being conducted in the 7-clubs-in-the-bag event. Various combinations of 7-clubs were chosen by the players, with a typical set-up comprising a driver, fairway wood or hybrid or long-iron, 4-irons including a wedge or two, and a putter.
Despite the ideal conditions, scores were rather modest. No doubt the Sunday pin-placements on 3 and 6, with challenging ones on 7, 8 and 9 had a hand in it.
Whilst lunch was being enjoyed in the clubhouse, scores were collated by the pro-shop team, with Nett scores then being announced; Bruce Sutherland lead the way with a 35 followed by Paul Bray with 39 on a countback from Justin Ryan and Doug Turek with 39.5 (on c/b) being the last one to qualify for the match-play section.
The proceedings now meant that Bruce would meet Doug, and Paul would meet Justin in sudden-death handicap match-play starting on the 1st tee of the East course. Each match would continue until a winner was declared, and then the 2-semifinalist winners would meet in another sudden-death match, the final.
In the first match, Bruce and Doug halved the first hole, before Bruce prevailed on the second after Doug found tree trouble off the tee and had to chip out, whilst also giving a shot to Bruce on the hole.
In the second match, both Paul and Justin halved the first hole in fine 4s, before Justin prevailed with a solid regulation par, with Paul failing to get up-and-down from the front right of the green. Fine golf was demonstrated by both players to the gallery following this match.
Now a new match began, the final. Bruce teed off the 3rd and hit a low runner down the hill down the left side, whilst Justin pushed a solid drive into the right rough. Bruce hit a wonderful second shot up in front of the greenside right bunker, whilst Justin had to hit a recovery shot back into play, leaving him a mid-range pitch shot. He proceeded to do so, with a shot hit a bit low on the grooves, yet, nevertheless managed to land it on the front and run it almost up to the pin at the back-left of the green. Unflummoxed by Justin’s recovery, Bruce stepped up and with his 9-iron hit his approach chip over the bunker, and then ran it up to the hole within gimme range. Now Justin had to make his deft putt to keep the match alive. Yet, as the greens at Royal Melbourne are known for throughout the golfing world, Justin underestimated the break, only to see his ball pass the hole on the low side.
With a sense of surprise, Bruce was warmly congratulated by the follower’s watching greenside, and Justin too was acknowledged for his fine play throughout his 2-matches.
Both players were a little disheartened that they were unable to play any more holes of the composite course, however that didn’t stop the course ‘tour’ as we all walked back to the clubhouse via the magical holes of 4 and 16 on the East. Again, admiring the pin-placements, this time on 4, and what may have been if the match had continued on.
Back in the clubhouse, presentations were succinctly given, with Bruce, as worthy winner representing the other Royal club of Melbourne, modestly stating that he had made his first pars on Royal Melbourne, as well as his first birdie! No doubt, finishing his campaign with another solid Par against Justin will bring him back next year as defending champion.
And make no mistake, if he plays anywhere near as well as what was witnessed on the majestic course of Royal Melbourne over his 12-holes, he will have his name inscribed again on the President Trophy. Unless a few kilos are put under his saddle!
To conclude: As my playing partner stated during our round, to come and play this premier course is worth the drive he made on the previous night, forgoing his game on another fine links, at Port Fairy. There are many reasons why Royal Melbourne has hosted the numerous championships that it has, and we as members of the GSA had the privilege to experience this first-hand in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
Well done to all who entered, and we look forward to a full booking-sheet next year to those wishing to savor the delights of this links, whilst playing this quirky event, attempting to hinder Bruce on his back-to-back.
The Golf Society gives thanks to the Royal Melbourne GC for their generous hospitality which ensured a successful and enjoyable day.
Mango Maguire
