WESTERN Suburbs rugby league legend Mick Liubinskas stole the show when he led a band of seasoned golfers from the Massey Park Golf club on a successful sojourn to Port Stephens.
The fearless forward, who played alongside enforcer John ‘Dallas’ Donnelly and the incomparable Tommy Raudonikis in 44 top-grade appearances for the Magpies during the 1970s, showed his prowess around the Hunter region’s finest golf courses to help retain the annual Nelson Bay Cup.
A touring party of 16 golfers made the trek from Sydney and featured prominently in a series of two-ball best ball stableford events at reputable courses at Pacific Dunes, Nelson Bay, Horizons and Hawks Nest.
The crafty Liubinskas, who also served a season with the Balmain Tigers back in 1979, proved a standout with his sharp iron play and perfect putting over seven days of competition.
Former Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO) rugby league trojan Sam Colussi won three stableford events with Leichhardt Wanderers Rugby League Club Hall of Fame inductee and premiership-winning Balmain Jersey Flegg Cup manager John Carrington, Tony Spencer and Steve Cullen also posting impressive victories on tour.
Other Massey Park golfers to show their wares included former Magpies players Mark Manson, Gary Sly, Ray Emery, Pat Donnellan, Kevin Darke, Balmain stalwart Ray Meany, club captain David Bishop, Balmain Junior League identity John Manning, David Hilton, Steve Turner and club president Gary Ryan.
An elated Carrington told News Of The Area that bringing home the Nelson Bay Cup was a “big moment” for the Massey Park squad.
“The team played consistent golf during the week-long events and adapted quickly to the excellent golf courses that Port Stephens has to offer” he said.
“Long-hitting Sam was the pick of our golfers this campaign and deserves plenty of kudos for winning three stableford events to ensure the Nelson Bay Cup returned to Sydney’s inner west,” the club stalwart added.
By Chris KARAS
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