MRS MELANIE BRYDEN

Hello! I have now changed to my married name of Melanie Bryden. As a result please see my new blog at -

www.melaniebryden.blogspot.com

"Let's Beat Bowel Cancer" - Kingston Heath GC

Today I was lucky enough to be involved in the 2008 "Let's Beat Bowel Cancer" fundraising event at the Kingston Heath Golf Club.

I was stationed with Sam Newman on the 10th Hole where I competed against players to raise funds for the charity. We managed about $1600 which was great.

This was a fantastic event, even more so when I had the opportunity to meet Mr Peter Thompson, 5 time British Open Winner. It was awesome.

Mr Thompson played with Todd Woodbridge, John Fitzgerald and Wayne Arthurs. I cornered them for a photo opportunity with Sam Newman also. I also managed to sneakily film their swings. Check it out...



Mr Thompson -




Todd Woodbridge -




John Fitzgerald -




Wayne Arthurs -

2008/2009 Playing Schedule

After much deliberation I have decided to stay in Australia for the next three months.

I was considering heading to Europe for 2 tournaments in the Scandic swing and a few secondary tournaments in Sweden. Unfortunately I felt that it was a lopsided option considering the costs to get there against the possible returns.

So my plans are as follows -

August to Mid-November - Training at Cobram Barooga GC

Mid-November to late December - ALPG Tour Pro-Am series

Early January '09 - Ladies European Tour Qualifying School

Late January to late February - ALPG Tour major tournaments including...
Women's Australian Open
ANZ Ladies Masters
NSW Open
NZ Women's Open (to be confirmed)

This means I will use the Pro-Am series as a warm-up for LET Q-school. This is where the moneys raised from my fundraiser will be used. I believe this is the best option as I will be relaxed playing the lead in events giving myself the best chance in Spain in January.

Dining-in night - Blamey Barracks, Kapooka

Stuey took me to my first dining-in night at the Kapooka Blamey Barracks last night. We had a wonderful night and it was fantastic to see all the officers dressed in their dining uniforms. The Army band playing Jazz music through out dinner and we finished the night with a toast to the Queen and a toast to the Australian Army.

Melanie Holmes-Smith FUNDRAISING EVENT

On Friday 1st August 2008 the Cobram-Barooga Golf Club was kind enough to host my Europe/USA Tours Fundraising Event on the Old Course.

After a 2:30am finish the night before we were just about ready to go by 12:30pm for the 18 hole Ambrose event.


Mum and Loren Bunting still working late Thursday night -




Pa Holmes working out his game plan for the Old Course -




After a delicious BBQ lunch cooked by Arnie Manuel, Nana Holmes and Soopercaddy we set off.

I was based on the 10th tee, filming each player, a few tips here and there, and a few helping tee shots from me when needed by a desperate team!

The day started lovely, a little fresh but the sun was shining. By 1pm we were in serious strife when the sky started to blacken in all areas. When the hail chucked down for 10 mins straight it was almost time to abandon ship. But the storm passed, the sun came out and the players soldiered on for another 4 hours, soaking wet and freezing cold. But they all grinned when the passed me on the 10th tee, I'm sure a few were possibly faked for my benefit!!


Mum showing her style -




Me, Jaidyn Vaenuku, Chris Crawford and Jenny Hindson -




Ruth, our drinks cart girl! -




The kangaroos getting amongst it by the 18th green -





By 6pm we headed down stairs to a beautiful function room. During the night we had 40 silent auction items ranging from olive oil, to cricket memorabilia to doona covers. We also had 8 large auction items with holiday packages to the Bellarine Peninsula, a 2 hour lesson with me and also a Carlton FC Jersey personally signed by Brendan Fevola.


Our wonderful auctioneer Mark Missen, one half of Southern FM's Raider's Team -




Me spilling the beans on why now -




The Superstar winning team of John, Rosemary and Matt Staines from Griffith and little Seone Vaenuku and Amanda Quinane from the Bendigo Bank -




A special presentations for the juniors who played -




A few of the 40 silent auction items -










Every single auction item and prize was donated by sponsors. I received the most amazing support.



SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MAJOR SPONSORS -

CLUB CAR and BENDIGO BANK



THANKS TO ALL OTHER SPONSORS -

From the Cobram/Barooga region...

Cobram Barooga Golf Club

Chef Michael Stokes

Barooga Sports Club

Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Ambience Bakery

Exflo Hospitality Supplies

Sauci Sista gift pack

Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory

Paul Ukich Pharmacy

Paul Roberts Jewellers

Fasta Pasta & Pizza Italian Restaurant

Tavern Room Chinese Restaurant

Monichino Wines of Victoria

Fyffe Field Wines

Safeway, Cobram

Barooga General Store Newsagency

Top Video

Riverview Juices Pty Ltd

South Corp Wines

The Big Strawberry

Boosey Creek Cheese

Murray Goulburn



From the surrounding regions...

Warren Smith - Cricket coach extraordinaire

Village 4 Shepparton

Collins Booksellers

Book City

Berrigan Golf Club

Spaghetti Hollow Restaurant Shepparton

The Good Guys Shepparton - Bruce Prince


And sponsors from all over Victoria and NSW...

L'Oreal

Brendan Fevola

Jack and Jacqui Newton

Adventure Park Geelong

Southern Golf Club

Tip Top – Sunblest

Wayne Pearce

Gary Lisbon Photography

Jamie Glazier - Dare 2 Dream

Jenny Sevil

Stuart Appleby Junior Golf Foundation

Coodabeen Champion’s Pack - Ian Cover

Barwon Heads Royal Women's Hospital Research Cancer Day




MOTELS -

Lakeview Resort, Bendigo

Overlander Hotel/Motel, Shepparton

Golden Heritage Motor Inn, Beechworth

Heritage Motor Inn, Wagga Wagga

Bellarine Peninsula Escape:
Beacon Resort and Queenscliff Golf Club

Riverview Coffee House, Belmont

Shepparton Golf Club, Shepparton

Accommodation & Dinner Package:
Torquay Tropicana Motel, Torquay
Lightkeepers Inn Motel, Aireys Inlet
Lord of the Isles Tavern, Geelong

NEW HAIR STYLE!!!

Dark hair... Omigosh!!

2008 New Britain Open, Kokopo, PNG

What another amazing visit to PNG! I absolutely adore this place. The tournament was a fantastic success. Vicky Thomas came with me this year and almost beat the boys, finished in second overall by a shot. I shot 85, 75 and 73. Obviously battled the first day but got over it and was very happy with the last two rounds.

To give you an idea about how tough these courses are, Peter Senior was once heard to say the Ralum Club is the hardest short course in the world. He wasn't kidding.

This is how the week played...


Arriving into Port Moresby we were greeted by this sign at the airport -



After boarding for our onward flight to Rabaul (already 1 hour delayed), a fellow passengar on the flight decided he would not go along with instructions from airline staff, consequently we turned back from the runway so he could be kicked off by police. Due to domestic airports operating during daylight hours only we had to over night in Moresby. Below is Vicky Thomas, Robert Whitlock and myself stoked to be picking up our bags... again...



And the following morning at 3am, Russell "Rusty" Taylor and Tony Cavanagh stoked to be getting on the Rabaul flight... again... Rusty is in the trolley...



Hanging with the school kids at the Kerevat course in the jungle -



Tools for the kids to get home -



Hanging with security and the killer pooch -



Vicky on the 1st tee and the volcano in the background -



Snacking on banana chips at the Mask Festival -



1st and 9th green at the Ralum Club (9th is closest) -



My new boyfriend Ranagi which means "Ask him" in his village place talk -



View from the 4th tee -



Vicky and I on the 6th tee with the volcano in the background -



Jon "tic tic" Seeto from Bridgestone Tyres (my sponsor) and I with my cup from last year -



View of the volcano from the airplane -



I was a little worried that the wind would start blowing the ash in the direction of Kokopo airport meaning we couldn't fly but in the end we boarded the plane, it took off and we made our way back to the rat race.

I look forward to my next visit to paradise... ;-)

Stuey is home!!!!!

The Holmes, Smith and Bryden families would like to welcome our beloved Stuart Bryden back home after a stint in Iraq.

He did us very proud and obviously worked very hard while away as shown by the picture below...

Or maybe he worked hard on his Driver...

Disco Solutions Photography

A few new profile shots taken by Australia's newest wanabee photographer "Disco Solutions" aka Stuart Bryden (my fiance!).















My attempt at a portrait shot (Stuey's pride and joy in the distance) -

Private Tuition at CBGC

Just a few pictures from an individual lesson with Terry Mentha on the practice fairway at the Cobram Barooga Golf Club.

Bignell Family Fundraising Day

On May the 18th I ventured to Berrigan Golf Club for the Bignell Family Fundraising Day.

This was a lovely day involving many family friends to help raise funds for the Bignells to take a well earned holiday while going through such hardship. The whole community jumped on board and helped raise $8000 which was an AWESOME effort!

I stood on the 2nd tee where my services as a Playing Professional could be bought for the duration of the hole. I apologise to the group that bought a bogey off me!



Giving tips to Tammika Evans aka "Big T" -






Messing around with Tammika and Harrison Evans -





Lining up to hit an amazing shot for the group... ;-)

Partnership with Cobram-Barooga Golf Club

A FANTASTIC new development...

I am now the Touring Professional and Ambassador for Cobram-Barooga Golf Club! I had a photo shoot with Gary Lisbon from GOLFSelect.com.au and Gary Lisbon Photography. He was incredibly patient with me.

Below are some of the shots around the Old and West courses at Cobram-Barooga Golf Club... Enjoy...


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography


© Gary Lisbon Golf Photography



If you would like to see more stunning shots of the course check out

www.golfselect.com.au/armchair/courseView.aspx?course_id=267 for the Old Course

www.golfselect.com.au/armchair/courseView.aspx?course_id=2311 for the West Course