Country Week Team Selection

Ballarat District Golf has announced its teams for the 2024 Golf Australia Victorian Country Week, set to take place from September 30th to October 2nd palying course around the Bellarine. The men’s team will compete in the prestigious Shield competition, while the women’s team will showcase their skills in Division 1.

This annual event is a highlight of the golfing calendar, bringing together top talent from across the Victorian region to compete at the highest level.

The district would like to thank Helen Pascoe, Helen Mc Sparron & Sean Klain for their assistance in selecting the teams.

The selected teams and locations are below:

Men's Team

The 2024 Mens Country teams’ event will be played at Torquay Sands, 13th Beach and Portarlington golf clubs.
After a great showing at last year’s event almost taking the title, the men's team goes into this year’s event with a very similar team, with youth as the focus, Ballarat will again have the youngest team in the division 1 competition.
This year’s team will be

Sean Klain (Captain)
Dan Staples
Corey Haase
Kacee Kirwan-Hamilton
Liam Howlett
Brett Tolliday
Matt Francis
Andy McConchie
Bailey Holloway (District Official)

With a tough draw where Ballarat will play 36 holes Monday, and 36 holes Tuesday player management will be at a premium.

This year’s draw is

Monday 30/9/24 Torquay sands GC
- AM Ballarat vs West Gippsland
- PM Ballarat vs Murray Darling
Tuesday 1/10/24 13th Beach GC
- AM Ballarat vs South Gippsland
- PM Ballarat vs Goulburn Murray

Sean Klain
Men’s Team Captain

Women's Team

The Women’s and Men’s Country Teams Matches is a District teams scratch match play competition played between Country Districts of Victoria. There are 3 divisions in both the Men’s and Women’s.
The Men’s Country Week Teams Matches commenced in 1924 for the Sheild Division 1 competition. Which the Ballarat Team is always in contention and were runners up in 2023. The Plate Division 2 competition was introduced in 1956, and Bowl Division 3 commenced in 1994.
The Women’s Country Teams matches were first played in 1933. The Trophy for which they compete is the Alice Coltman Cup donated by the first President of the Ballarat District Ladies Golf Association. Both Division 1 & 2 (Division 2 commenced in 1970 receive cups being the gifts of the late Mrs. Coltman. Division 3 commenced in 1984 and receive a cup donated by Mrs. L Carstairs.
After a number of years in Division 2 because of relegation from Division 1 the 2023 Team won Division 2 and promoted to Division 1 for 2024.

The 2024 Ballarat District Country Week Team

Helen Pascoe (playing Captain) - Buninyong GC
Amy Leeson - Buninyong GC
Nikki Prato - Buninyong Golf Club
Kate McMahon - Ballarat GC
Kristie Kennedy - Ballarat GC
Vicki Waldron - Ballarat GC
Di Rogers - Ballarat Golf Club
Paula Bandy - Midlands Golf Club
Gai Skinner - Midlands Golf Club
Tania Dignan - Chalambar Golf Club.

The Ballarat Team has been boosted with the inclusion of two new players this year. Amy Leeson has had previous Country Week experience but has not been available for a few years, her experience and ability will an asset to the Ballarat Team. Tania Dignan is a talented and extremely competitive golfer and her inclusion in the Team is testament to her continued commitment to her golf. The Team is supported by several caddies who have made themselves available and the Team Manager Helen McSparron.

- Monday a.m. 30.9.24 - The Sand Torquay - Ballarat play North Eastern.
- Tuesday a.m. 1.10.24 – 13th Beach Golf Links (Beach Course) - Ballarat play Goulburn Murray
- Tuesday p.m. 1.10.24 – 13th Beach Golf Links (Beach Course) - Ballarat play Murray Darling
- Wednesday a.m. 2.10.24 – Portarlington Golf Club – Ballarat play Western
For those interested in supporting the Ballarat Team spectators are most welcome to follow the players. Some excellent golf will be played over the 3 days, the players are the best players of their respective Districts. An honour for all those playing.

Helen McSparron.
Women’s Team Manager