Man, 69, dies after being struck on the head by a golf ball during competition Posted 5 updated 3 Rod Gurney was 69. Print text only Cancel A man has died after being hit with a golf ball at the Portarlington Golf Club on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula. Key points: The 69-year-old was playing in a competition on Tuesday when he was struck with a ball He went home after being treated at the scene, but was later taken to Geelong hospital The man died on Saturday afternoon in a Melbourne hospital Rod Gurney was playing in a men's competition at the club when he was struck by the ball on Tuesday.