■ Matt Tudor is well known in golf circles in Melbourne and especially Werribee where he won the club championship twice and the Werribee Open once before hitting the professional tour. Matt is a leading teaching professional and has recently opened the Golf Fitting Hub at Melbourne Airport Golf Club. He added another string to his bow this week, becoming the club pro at Melbourne Airport Golf Club taking over from Tim Moore. It is a big step for Matt as Tim was head pro for more than 30 years. Matt’s experience in the industry makes him the perfect man for both these roles. He can talk to scratch golfers or the weekend hacker. What would you expect from a Werribee boy? His father Des, a premiership coach at the Werribee Football Club, is a Werribee Park member and is a constant winner in the weekly competitions. Well done to Matt, I have no doubt he will be a success.
■ Local athletes are getting excited with the annual Maribyrnong Gift coming up on January 26 at Pennell Reserve. This is the big event on the local running calendar and there might be more reason to celebrate as a few are coming into the event in red hot form. Nathan Burfitt, who is the Deer Park Football Club team manager, is tearing up the track and won the Rye Gift race last weekend on the back of his victory at Daylesford the week before. Megan McMahon is another getting used to podium finishes.
■ Hogans Road Reserve is the venue once again for the annual Hoppers Crossing Sports Club and E.J. Whitten Foundation Car Show on Sunday, April 8 from 7.30am-1pm. You can see some fine machinery in peak condition including muscle cars, antiques, and luxury cars and plenty more. The day features a live band, barbecue and special guests Ted Whitten jnr and Doug Hawkins. Proceeds from the day go to the E.J. Whitten Foundation for research into men’s health. Details or to enter a car call John Culhane 0488 991 705 or johnculhane29@gmail.com
■ The next few weeks will tell the real tale of who ends up where in local footy. St Albans has been dealt a big blow with Daniel Kerr, their high profile signing, now unable to don the Saints jumper due to a change in his employment. It is a pity and he would have been a valuable asset to the entire competition.
