Record field in Victoria Jewish Golf Championships
A record 210 players participated in this year's tournament, held at its new home of Huntingdale Golf Course.
The 2026 Maccabi Victoria Jewish Golf Championships – hosted by Maccabi Victoria Golf Club (MVGC) on August 31 – marked an exciting new chapter for Jewish golf in Victoria, with a record 210 players taking part at the beautifully renovated Huntingdale golf course.
Following the closure of Cranbourne Country Club earlier this year – where the tournament had enjoyed a proud history spanning decades – the move to Huntingdale represented both a new beginning and an exciting opportunity for Maccabi golf.
MVGC president Joe Dorfman said “the excitement in the lead-up to the event was palpable, and the course certainly lived up to expectations.
“The new layout is outstanding and, as the Huntingdale course continues to mature, it promises to become something very special.
“But perhaps the most significant aspect of the day was the diversity of the field.”
Alongside golfers who have participated in Maccabi events for decades was a large contingent of ‘Next Gen’ players, aged under 40, and also a strong representation by women and, for the first time, a dedicated junior category.
“Seeing that level of community involvement and participation was a wonderful reflection of what Maccabi Golf is seeking to achieve, and provides enormous optimism for the future” Dorfman added.
The prestigious Jewish Championship Strokeplay title was won by Darren Blair, who produced an excellent round of 78.
Simon Fisher finished runner-up, while young talent Benjamin Lewis, 13, came third.
The trio were also the top three placegetters in the Next Gen Strokeplay category.
By winning overall, Blair automatically qualified for the Victorian Presidents Cup team that will travel to NSW for the next annual Maccabi Presidents Cup golf tournament in March.
The overall Stableford competition produced one of the closest results of the day, with Stevan Lambert, nine-year-old Daphne Lewis – Benjamin’s brother – and Nicole Sandler all posting outstanding scores of 40 points.
Following a countback, Lambert was crowned the Stableford winner, Daphne Lewis second, and Sandler third.
In addition, Daphne Lewis won both the C Grade Stableford and the inaugural Junior Stableford competitions.
Other divisional winners were Lambert (A Grade Stableford, 40 points) and Rohan Woolf (B Grade Stableford, 36 points).
Dorfman said MVGC extends its sincere thanks to Huntingdale Golf Club and its staff, the event’s sponsors – Brighton BMW, Global Trophies and Promotions, Linea Developments, and Kieser Caulfield – and also MVGC committee members and other volunteers for all their contributions behind the scenes.