THE Newcastle Hunter District Ladies Golf Association held the Valor Private Wealth 36 Hole Amateur Women’s Championship 2024 at Hawks Nest Golf Club on August 18 and 19.

50 ladies from the Newcastle and Hunter District played for a number of trophies and prizes awarded for individual and team play over the two-day event.

The Hawks Nest course was in fine condition for the competition, and as always, our own ladies’ committee provided generous hospitality for the players, which was delicious and very well received.

Entrants came from as far as Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Cromer, Cypress Lakes, Murree, Newcastle and Belmont to name just a few clubs.

And Hawks Nest players also contested the event, competing for over $3000 worth of prizes as well as the major trophies on offer.

This event is a prestigious event in the ladies’ golfing calendar, and will continue to grow in popularity in the years to come if the quality of golf on display is anything to go by.

Congratulations to Jill Blenkey from Newcastle GC who took home the major prize, The Newcastle Cup, as the 36 Hole Open Scratch Champion.

Jill is a familiar face at Hawks Nest, having won our Ladies Classic this year.

Congratulations also to our own Hawks Nest winners, Helen Haynes, Anne-Marie French and Jo Collins who took home a raft of prizes over the two days.

In the daily results over 18 holes, Day 1 was particularly successful for Hawks Nest ladies: Jo was the winner in Division 3 Nett with 78.; Anne-Marie was runner up in Division 2 Nett with 78; and Helen was 3rd in Division 1 Nett with 76. Day 2 saw Helen win the 18 Hole Division 1 Scratch event with 82. She also bagged the NTP on both Holes 3 and 10.

Helen Haynes was the 36 Hole Nett Winner (149), taking home the Vera De’l Rankin Trophy. Helen and Anne- Marie also took home the Dorothy McCook Salver for the best aggregate nett score (Div 1 and/or 2) on day 1 with 154. This team trophy has been contested since 1989, though never won by Hawks Nest until now, so well done ladies for this inaugural win.

Congratulations to everyone involved in running this great ladies’ golf event, whether at district or club level. Hawks Nest has earned another feather in its cap for hosting, and participating with distinction in this tournament.

Thursday Lady Veterans 9 Hole Competition August 29th 2024.

On another perfect spring day, 47 players teed off from the grey markers. Those who played the front 9 started the day with a glimpse of 14 fluffy little ducklings beside the path, and there were more birdies to follow from the ladies. Debbie Booth scored her first ever birdie on the 10th , with a 6 metre putt from the back of the green. Annie Benton birdied the 3rd hole, and Maxine Mitchell scored a birdie with her last putt of the day on the 9th. While Maureen Ward scored a “miracle” 10 metre chip in on the 7th, it was Marcia Smith who took the honours today with a very nice 20 metre chip in for a birdie 3 on the 8th hole. Well played ladies!

Results: 1st Pauline Barham on -8; 2nd Di Smith -5; 3rd June London -3; 4th Lorraine Bragg -2; 5th Sue Brownrigg -1.

NTP 3rd Hole: Division 1 Annie Benton; Division 2 Sue Brownrigg; Division 3 Di Vercoe.

NTP 16th Hole: Division 1 Karen Serhan; Division 2 Donna Clemens; Division 3 Di Russell.

By Dianne BOWES