It’s been 43 years between wins for Moura Golf Club, but that drought came to an end at Moranbah when Rod Laird, Ross Clancy, Marty Vine and Aaron Hayden claimed the 2026 Robinson Cup.
The Moura team finished with a combined nett score of 220, just two strokes ahead of Rockhampton’s Mervyn Keneally, Damien Ling, Matt Evans and Grant Collins on 222.
It was a record turnout for the competition, which dates back to 1935, with 192 golfers making up 48 teams from 26 clubs.
Golf Central Queensland Robinson Cup coordinator Gurney Clamp said Town of 1770 Golf Club, a two-time winner of the competition, was the only club missing from this year’s field.
“Friendship between players over the years has been one of the major drivers that keeps this event going.
“Most clubs’ representatives have competed in this event for a long, long time. At some clubs it’s difficult to get into a team, with the only way of getting in being when someone leaves their club or passes away.”
Yeppoon’s Terry Bulger is one golfer who knows the competition well.
“Terry would be the player who has been competing in the Robinson Cup for the longest period of time.
“He’s been in the winning team three times, once representing Emerald and twice representing Yeppoon.”
The weekend wasn’t without its challenges, with the weather interfering before the main competition got underway.
“On Saturday, the pre-Robinson Cup event, an 18-hole four-ball, was interrupted by a storm that arrived at the club in the afternoon and saw all the players return to the clubhouse.”
The Robinson Cup itself also ran into problems as daylight began to disappear.
“A few issues arose during this year’s Robinson Cup, with the afternoon draw not being able to complete their round due to the sun going down too soon.”
There was plenty to celebrate on the leaderboard, with Rockhampton’s Damien Ling claiming Best Individual Gross ahead of Baralaba’s Dan Evans.
Springsure’s Dylan Mayne took out Best Individual Nett ahead of Emerald’s Damien Serotzki, also securing the Col Gill Memorial Trophy.
Miriam Vale Golf Club, representing the Curtis Zone, recorded the best nett score by a club from outside the Central Highlands Zone, while Golf CQ claimed the Inter-Association Shield.
Gurney said the competition was also an important date on the calendar for clubs that take their turn hosting.
“This is a big event for all clubs as it generates a good income for the clubs regardless of their size.”
The Robinson Cup will head to Calliope Golf Club in 2027, with its newly upgraded course set to host the next competition.
“It was great to see so many teams from different clubs all in the one place, enjoying themselves, having a laugh and playing a game they love. That’s what makes a weekend like this so good.”
