THE week started off with a few sunny days, and our golfers were itching at the bit to get back out on the golf course as soon as possible.

Our greens staff had made a start on getting the fairways mowed, but it was impossible for machinery to enter the rough due to the very soft conditions, and the bunkers remained unplayable.

To facilitate the wishes of our ambitious golfers wanting to have a hit, we allowed golf carts back strictly on the cart paths, with preferred lies and tee-ups through the green, but unfortunately, many balls were reported lost, either plugged on the fairways or hidden in the long grass.

Despite everything against them, we were able to run competitions every day for those super keen golfers and holidaymakers.

This week’s featured sponsor was North Coast Boating Centre at Urunga – we certainly could have used their products last week to get across the causeway – thank you for your sponsorship.

We had 24 players for a Medley Stableford on Tuesday 12 April – five did not finish, some getting caught in a heavy shower around lunchtime.

With Sawtell closed due to the big wet, Graham Montgomery and Gregory Hay ventured out on our soggy track with Graham (9) scoring 41 points to win from Gregory (19) with 37 points on a countback from Matthew O’Brien (Urunga).

Others to win a ball were Nate Beverley 36, Jeffrey Vanderwyk 35, and Adrian Aldabet (Branxton) 34.

The Ladies scheduled American Foursomes was changed to a Single Stableford on Wednesday 13 April – 25 starters, eight cards not returned- I wonder why.

Lisa Urquhart (27) and Bryony Brownlie (43) both did very well in the wet conditions to score 41 points each, Lisa winning the countback.

Dianne O’Leary scored 38 points, Judith Boyle and Jenny Thorne both had 35 and Angela Paton 34, all getting a ball in the rundown.

Thursday 14 April was changed from an Aggregate Stableford to a Single due to a very reduced field of 15 players attempting in the most difficult of conditions.

This didn’t worry Lee Fewings (33) who managed to score a very good 41 points to win the day.

Ball run down to Greg McCoy 38, Paul Maxwell 36 and Philip Rose (Mackksville) 35 points.

Following a course inspection on Thursday, it was clear that there was no way that we would be able to get the course back to a suitable condition to hold our Annual Easter Bowl 36 Hole event over Saturday and Sunday, and the decision was taken to defer the event until the weekend of 9 and 10 July, immediately following the Veteran’s Week of Golf. For those still wishing to slosh around, Medley Stableford events were substituted for the Easter weekend.

The Bowl’s sponsor, Toyota Genuine Service, remains on board for the new date – thank you.

It was great to see the sun return on Good Friday at long last – just in time for the Easter Holidays.

With the back nine holes unplayable, unwalkable and undrivable, we have come up with a 9 Hole composite course which has a limited amount of water and least amount of rough – this will allow us to continue to be able to offer an 18 Hole Par 58 competition for those interested, until normal conditions are restored.

Saturday 16 April’s Medley Stableford saw 37 starters including eleven visitors from Gunnedah to Campbelltown and places in between.

With a fantastic score of 49 points, Petron Macarounas (36) visiting from Gunnedah made good use of his two shots every hole to easily win the event from Chris Lucas (30) with 42 points on countback from Trevor Peter.

Other good scores from Robert Else (Wingham), Lee Fewings and Andy Bagust 41, Nate Beverly and Ben Venner 40, Andy and Jenny Johnston 39, all in the Ball Rundown.

A small field competed for a Medley Stableford on Easter Sunday 17 April, with Rodney Boyd (34) winning with 46 points.

Ball rundown to Scott Brown 38, Denise Paluch 36 and Garry Johnstone 34 on c/b.

Weather permitting, I hope to see you on the Island.

 

By Geoffrey MCCANN