CARPET was something of a theme this past week at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course – from a valued sponsor through to a club champion in a bother.

More than 120 players hit the 18-hole layout on Valentines Day for the women’s 2025 season Opening Day.

The fourball best ball stableford was presented by BMW Carpets and the monster field saw competitors from as far south as Tuncurry through to Safety Beach in the north.

In Div 1, the Sawtell duo of Jackie Chapman and Sharon Shipman saluted with 46 points, the highest score of the day.

Runners-up were Glenys Thompson and Jenny Thorne on 44, and third place was taken by Denise Paluch and Director of Golf Henny Oldenhove on 43 – all from Nambucca.

In Div 2, The Island’s Linda Piccin and Fiona Chaffey reigned supreme with 44 points, from runners-up Linda Rankine and Paula Sercomb on 43.

Frederickton’s Sue Webster and Dianne Lamborne completed the podium with 43.

On Saturday, 15 February, Harrison Lee (22 handicap) came in fast and hard with 41 points to win Div 2 of the Allied Air Conditioning medley stableford from Andrew Donovan (17) on 36.

Lee will be in demand as a fourball partner after raging round the back nine in just four over par, while Donovan enjoyed a dear diary day with birdies on 8 and 13.

In Div 1, Graham Weary (13) was anything but with 10 pars on his victory march to 41 points ahead of crafty Ken Klem (8) on 37.

Long-marker Susanna Greenup (35) from South West Rocks took out Div 3 with 35 points to best Kylie Blay (also 35) on a countback.

The long par three 7th with water left, right, short and back always claims plenty of kills and among those seen playing from the plastic carpet drop zone mat-of-shame was club champion Troy Herbert after an ungainly topped tee shot rattled the mullet.

Herbert (3) didn’t leave empty handed after winning the putt from afar and the Ecomist voucher on the 1st for a bird.

John Morgan nailed it to 46cm on the 13th for a bird and the Pizza This Pizza That prize while other pins were claimed by Rodney Ford on 5, Ben Venner on 7, Dave Rosser on 15 and Drew Glasson on the last for the $110 Pro Pin.

Beer baron Peter Bush (15) was the toast of the town after eagling the 17th for a box of balls.

Daniel Wren (11) from Bowraville also had an eagle – his on the par five 11th – as he danced to 41 points to win Div 1 in the Allied Air Conditioning medley stableford on Thursday, 13 February.

Runner-up was Nev Newman (10) on 40, while Keith Elphick (25) scooted around in 38 to take Div 2 from Andrew Johnston (23) on 37.

Andrew Bagust won the long putt on 1, while Michael Jolly snared the pin on 5, Linne Street on 7, Graham Watson on 8, Andrew Donovan on 13 for the pizza, Bruce Mason on 15 and Peter Miller on 18 for the $60 Pro Pin.

Nambucca’s Henny Oldenhove (18) trounced the field with a smart 66 nett to win Div 1 in the women’s stroke event on Wednesday, 12 February. Oldenhove had birds on 7 and 13 to finish well clear of runner-up Martine Murray (19) on 70.

Cheryl Gilmour (25) won Div 2 with 70, with Jenny Thorne (24) a shot back. Linda Piccin (33) took out Div 3 with 70 ahead of Robyn Dyer (34) on 74.

Sue Brooks, Thorne and Piccin claimed the best gross prizes, while Oldenhove won the pins on 8 and 13, Gillian Anderson also on 8 and Thea Kimber pocketed the $35 Pro Pin on 18.

Thomas Wattison (15) had three sevens – sweet in Blackjack, unhelpful in golf – in his round on Tuesday, 11 February in the Allied Air Conditioning medley stableford.

But he still managed 83 off the bat and 37 points to take Div 1 on countback from Liam Sweeny (17).

Rhonda Rowe (29) won Div 2 with 38 points ahead of Edward Beaton (24) on 37.

John Crosby scored the pin on 5, Glenys Thompson on 7 and Houston Baker on 8 after returning from Stateside. Kempsey’s Colin Habgood scrunched the pizza on 13 and Stuart Johnston can afford another bright Hawaiian shirt after collecting the $50 Pro Pin on the last.

The opening qualifying round of the Nambucca Skins is this Saturday 22 February and it’s open to local members, male and female. A one-off $5 entry fee payable at the Pro Shop before you tee off covers you for the entire year.

Catchya on The Island if the river doesn’t grab you first.

By Chris KNIGHT