He’s done a lot of things in golf, David McKenzie, but never an albatross.

That was until today at Portarlington when the Victorian drilled a driver 241m for the almost mythical ace on a par four during the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am.

McKenzie’s drive just carried the front bunker and scurried up the green before hitting and dropping for his first career albatross.

But from the tee, with the bunker obscuring his view, the 57-year-old thought it had landed in the sand when a puff of sand arose as his ball landed.

It wasn’t until the crowd erupted as he approached the green – and he was urged to do a “shooey” in celebration – that he realised the magic that had unfolded.

“There’s no way I’m doing a shooey,” McKenzie said as he guzzled a drink in a far more customary manner to celebrate.

“That’s unbelievable … and turns a terrible day into a much better one.

“I hit a driver because I was a bit cranky so that’s why I wasn’t hitting 3-wood, but I was sure it went into the bunker.

“I saw sand come up and (thought nothing of it). That’s crazy."

McKenzie, the reigning NSW Senior Open champion, estimated that it was his eighth hole-in-one.

“But I’ve never had a “3-under” one before, I‘ll take that every time!” he beamed.

"What a day - I’m loving it!"

McKenzie tipped a casual five points into his team’s stableford coffers and also won 20 points for the bullseye-style competition on offer for the second shot on that hole in one of the pro-am’s separate competitions.

He was later presented with an honorary Portarlington Golf Club membership for his history-making shot.

It started in 2022 as something “quirky and different” for a good cause.

But in just its third year, the Spring Fashion Fundraiser has already become a fixture on the Portarlington social calendar.

Event creator and host Sonja Di Pietro proudly organised the largest show to date recently with five local fashion houses showing their wares to a full house at the Portarlington Golf Club.

Models representing Just Next Door, Kouture By the Sea, Montana’s, Hive and The Ducks Nuts showcased the upcoming summer trends on the red-carpet runway.

And with lovely canapes and a welcome drink provided by presenting sponsor Stockdale & Leggo, the crowd was well pleased with a fabulous evening’s entertainment.

“It was a terrific night and the feedback from everyone was extremely positive,” Sonja said.

“We are all so lucky to live and work in such an amazing, supportive community.”

The reasons – aside from fashion – that brought the evening to life are many, but include Sonja’s desire to give the women of the Portarlington region their own “night out”.

And as the name suggests, there’s always a fundraising element that makes the function even more important.

“I’m pleased to let you know that we raised $2676 for the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre,” Sonja said.

“It’s incredible that we all get to have a great evening, support the local businesses and make an impact for a really important cause … I couldn’t be happier with how it has been received.”

He’s won on the US tour, he’s won more than a handful of Australian Open, PGA and Masters crowns – and now he’s won a Portarlington Skins Game.
Peter Lonard nipped a sand wedge on the shootout decider on Monday night to win $3500, eclipsing David McKenzie ($500) and skinless pros Andre Stolz, Matt Milne and Stacey Peters.

“Oh it’s one of the highlights, for sure,” Lonard joked on the eve of the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am.

“Nah, it was just good fun out there – a great night and great to see so many people out watching.”

Indeed, hundreds of visitors flocked to watch the shootout featuring the three Legends Tour players, plus club pro Milne and former club champ turned Vic Open hero Peters.
And they stayed for some great fun, music, food and ambience after the event with a hole-in-one contest raising more than $230 for Portarlington charity group Food Assist 3223.

“It was so good to see such a great turnout from the community and great to see the support for a relatively new event from our members and visitors,” club CEO Michael Phillips said.

“A big thanks to everyone who made such a great atmosphere around the club and to all five pros who brought it to life in such great spirit.”

Skins games always bring out great golfing rivalries – and Monday’s at Portarlington Golf Club promises to be no exception.

Not only will the club’s Skins Game feature three legends of Australian golf, but two “homegrown” heroes battling it out for the cash.

Peter Lonard, Andre Stolz and David McKenzie are all set for the six-hole showdown on modified holes around the Port clubhouse, using it also as practice for the following day’s Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am.

But joining the fiveball will be resident Port professional Matt Milne and former Vic Open winner Stacey Peters – a former women’s club champion at Port.

“I can’t wait to take on the boys,” said Peters, the club’s 2005 champion as a 19-year-old amateur before winning the Vic Open in 2013 at nearby 13^th Beach.

“I’ve heard a sneaky rumour that a few of the girls at Portarlington are going to come out and get behind me, so I hope I can put on a bit of a show for them and pinch a couple of dollars from the boys’ pockets.”

Milne has twice previously played the Skins Game – which features mounting jackpots until holes are won – but is yet to put his paws on any cash.

“I need to sort this out, the grief factor is fairly high,” Milne joked.

“The boys are always in good form and now I’ll probably lose the hometown fans to Stace, so I’m up against it already.”

The Skins Game starts about 4.30pm and is the centrepiece of an afternoon of fun with live music, food vans and other great entertainment in a village near the first tee.

There will also be an amateurs’ hole-in-one competition with a Portarlington Golf Club membership on offer for the first ace.