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Sports reports: Teen prodigy shoots golf round for the ages

Plus the latest in Lower Murray lawn bowls and Murray Bridge darts.

Contributed

03 Mar 2026 — 4 min read

Oakley Edwards has shot a magical round of golf on Saturday. Photo: Michael Potts.

This story includes contributions from Michael Potts and Derek Vanderzon.

Boom youngster Oakley Edwards has announced his enormous talent by easily winning a Stableford competition at Murray Bridge Golf Club with a sizzling 42 points.

Already down to what should have been a handbrake of a handicap of eight, the emerging star thumbed his nose at the handicapper and said "hit me again" as he reeled off a birdie blitz on the back nine to end up with a personal best two-over-the-card 70 off the stick on the old course.

With remedial work being done on the two new holes over the road, the original course was temporarily back in use, which pleased a few of the more diehard members.

Unfortunately, with a weekend of drenching rain forecast, the field was severely depleted to the tune of just 47 brave souls electing to front the starter.

As it turned out, all the rain came the next day, so players enjoyed favourable conditions for their Saturday morning rounds.

Keeping the Edwards dynasty in the limelight, the grandson of larger-than-life super-veteran Graham just wouldn't be denied as he hit greens in regulation and had his putter working a treat.

His two-under-par, 24-point back nine also easily won him the day's pro comp in a stunning display.

Corey Dahlitz was the runner-up with an excellent 39-point effort as he edged out the in-form, low profile Mark Mayfield, who was just a point behind.

Mayfield has been lighting up the midweek comps as well as he continues a golden run of form.

Consistent A-grader Tony Carter, rarely out of the money, returned another handy 38-point round but modestly claimed "it was all luck".

A good example of this was his horribly overhit approach shot on the 16th, which was heading for the other side of Standen Street before his ball slammed flush into the pin and stopped dead six inches from the hole for a tap-in and three points.

Take 'em when you can, Tony.

The mid-week Stableford was won by Lawrence Crack, who shared 37 points with runner-up Tom Haig.

Third place went to Keith Durham on 36 points.

A new month starts this week so it must be a stroke round beckoning this weekend – but on which course?

Only time will tell.

Murray Bridge, Jervois, Mannum and Tailem Bend make the final 4. Photo: Canva

Two out of three division one matches completed in final round before finals

Meanwhile, the predicted wet weather has held off to allow results in two of the three division-one bowls matches on Saturday, with Mannum having to settle with sharing the points with RSL following their match being abandoned due to thunderstorms.

This scenario left Jervois having to either win over Tailem Bend, or at least win on two rinks to hold onto second spot.

Jervois delivered on both counts, setting up the double chance and a shot at Murray Bridge at Murray Bridge on Saturday, while Mannum and Tailem Bend will face off in the elimination final at the same venue.

Murray Bridge had no problem in disposing of bottom team Karoonda, with the result having no impact on the standings.

At Tailem Bend, the visiting Jervois side was desperate for a win to ensure the double chance at the venue which has brought it undone on many occasions, and emerged victorious 63-56.

Shawn Hicks, Heather Fromm, Tim Hicks and Grace Hameister were the biggest winners for Jervois with a 24-17 win over Travis Schenke, Rob Hales, Michael Thorne and Matt Kowald.

Schenke won the first 2 ends, but a 4 to Hicks put him in front, and was the first of 5 successive ends which saw him leading 9-3.

Schenke closed to within 3 shots, but Hicks was able to maintain a buffer through the remainder of the contest, with Schenke unable to win successive ends after the initial salvo with a solid team effort.

Graeme Herbert, Derek Vanderzon, Shane Fromm and Neil Morris withstood a comeback from Sam Shepherd, David Hoare, Steve Gordge and Glenda Shepherd to score a tight 21-18 win.

Shepherd started with a 2, but Herbert won the next 6 ends, and with successive 3's took a 11-2 lead.

Shepherd responded with a 4, and was soon back within 2 shots.

Some brilliant conversions from Shepherd kept him in touch, and a 3 on the 18^th saw him draw level.

A single to Herbert was immediately followed by a 4 to finally break the shackles, leaving him 5 shots clear going into the final end.

Shepherd again converted, but the 2 shots still left him 3 adrift.

Duane Edwards, Merv Stevens, Con Jones and Bernard Naulty earned 2 points for Tailem with a 21-18 win over Jeremy Scannell, Graham Fromm, Graham Schenke and Stuart McCulloch.

Edwards looked to be well in control through 13 ends, leading 16-8, before Scannell went on a 4 end run, collecting 9 shots to nil to briefly take the lead.

Edwards then steadied, winning 3 of the final 4 ends to take the win.

Murray Bridge completed a dominating minor round with an all rinks win over Karoonda who end a disappointing season in bottom place.