BALL-pounder Kai Burkinshaw shot a smart even par 69 at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course – but needed a withering back nine to edge the victory.

The two-marker rattled home in one under 33 to amass 38 points to win Div 1 of the Nambucca News medley stableford on Thursday, 6 February, on countback from the resurgent Glen Crow (11 handicap).

Warwick Lean (26) had the best round of the day with a thumping 41 points to take Div 3 from the chirpy Trevor Peck (25) on 39 points.

Mark Luttrell (20) recovered from a stumble on the 15th and 16th where he went double-triple, to finish with 85 off the bat and 40 points to claim Div 2 from John Hopkins (23) on 38.

Troy Herbert banged one in from a distance on the first to jag the Ecomist voucher, while pins went to John Crosby on 5, Michael Tarleton on 7, Greg Jager on 8 and Heather Gray has dinner sorted after seizing the Pizza This Pizza That on the 13th.

Crow capped a mighty day away from the office in a field that nudged 100, collecting the $90 Pro Pin on the last.

Susan Barnett (25) carded 34 points to win Div 1 of the women’s single stableford on Wednesday, 5 February, from runner-up Deidre Fletcher (13) on 33.

Rhonda Rowe (29) was rock steady in returning a dalmation round of 101 gross, to salute in Div 2 with 34 points ahead of Joy Green (37) who parred the last on 33.

Gray won the Pro Pin $30 on the 18th and the pin on 8, while Denise Paluch was nearest on 5 and Sue Brooks on 13.

More than 120 golfers eyed the river and fronted the starter in the Nambucca News fourball medley stableford on Saturday, 8 February.

Ever-present threats who want only for consistency, 15-markers Steve Frost and Murray Ingram, landed a right-left combination on their way to a spanking 49 points for the victory.

That was just enough to deal with 27-handicappers Mark Luttrell and Heath McKenna on 48, while Stephen Kimber (15) tried to get a return on his sponsorship, pairing with Daryl Wall (15) for 46 points.

Club Captain Ray Guiana got the putt from afar on the 1st, and Stormin’ Norman Devereaux the $120 Pro Pin on the 18th. Deidre Fletcher won the pin on 5, Robert Reid on 7, Sue Brooks on 8, Maurie Tate on 15 and Kerrie Eichorn the pizza on 13.

The Mid North Coast Vets saw players from far and farrer tackle the championship 18-hole layout at The Island on Tuesday, 7 February.

Coffs Harbour’s David Nicholls (9) scorched with 77 off the stick including an eagle on the 9th to card 37 points and win Div 1. Murray Ingram was runner-up with 36 from Ken Klem (9) on 35.

In Div 2, Port Macquarie’s Barry Ellis (22) recovered from a chaotic moose (10 antlers) on the 11th, with a birdie on 15 to salute with 40 points. That was enough to get the countback from Sawtell’s Steven Robinson (20) and John Buganey (22) on 37.

Bowraville’s Ken Graham took Div 3 with 38 points, from Craig Riddington (29) on 37 and Urunga’s Alan Guthrie (27) on 36.

The opening qualifying round of the Nambucca Skins will be held on Saturday 22 February which is open to local members, male and female, with a $5 entry fee payable at the Pro Shop prior to play.

The following day, the club will host the Golf NSW Mid North Coast Men’s Championship which will see guns from across the region descend on the short, luxe and strategic layout.

By Chris KNIGHT