FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2022.

The Christmas King Tides made it necessary to have two shotgun starts to enable golfers to have access to our competitions without having to drive or walk through the flooded causeway. Plenty of run on the fairways are making it a bit easier to reach the greens which have been described by many visitors as “sensational”. This week’s featured sponsor is Nambucca Newsagency – thank you Thea & Stephen for your support.

Tuesday 20th December was the last of the Club’s multi-round events – the final round of the “Island Challenge”- a monthly Stroke event, where your 5 best scores over the year count towards a Golf, Drive, Stay & Play Package kindly sponsored by Toyota Service Advantage (Thank you to Michael Briscoe). Coming into the final round, the top 3 players were Joe Street 355, Philip Mander 359 and Jennifer Johnston 360, so it was still anyone’s prize to win.

Some great scores were returned, with 6 players all scoring net 69 – the countback line-up is Winner Stephen Kimber (17), Runner up Lee Fewings (31), then Steve Clarke (8) from Bonville, Warren Hamilton (24) from Wodonga, Wayne Davies (18) from Toukley and Kevin Mulhall (21). Other good scores from Kai Burkenshaw, Philip Mander & Ray Guiana with net 70. Cameron Pollard from Coffs Harbour who plays off 1 handicap won gross with 72. Linne Street (16) won the Ladies net with 72. All those playing to their handicap or better and NTP’s win a sleeve of Golf Balls.

NTP’s to Diane Mayo (Coffs Harbour) on 5, Denise Paluch on 7, Cameron Pollard on 8 and 17, Kai Burkenshaw on 18 and Stephen Kimber collected the “Pizza This” voucher on 13.

Unfortunately for Joe, Phillip’s net 70 elevated his best 5 scores to top the Challenge Leader Board, with only 3 strokes separating the final 4 – Philip Mander 354, Stephen Kimber tied with Joe Street 355 and Jennifer Johnston 357. Congratulations to second time winner Philip Mander. Can’t wait for next year’s Island Challenge – usually last Tuesday monthly!

Wednesday was the Women’s 9 Hole Summer Competition Single Stableford won by Linda Piccin (37) with 20 points and runner up Heather Gray (25) with 19 points.

Thursday’s Shotgun start Medley Stableford with 77 players in 2 Divisions. Winner of Division 1 (0 to 18), was Peter Urquhart (17) with 39 points from Kai Burkenshaw (5) with 37 points. Andrew Johnston (22) scored 39 points to win Division 2 (19 to 45) on countback from Leslie Mohr (22). Other good scores from Colin Dunne 38, William Mann, Ken Marriott & Paul Reid 37, with the ball rundown to 33 on countback. NTP’s to Dennis Ashton for the longest putt on 2, Greg Smith on 5, Drew Glasson on 7 with 212 cms, Bryan Ussher on 8 very close 68 cms, Paddy Byrne on 13 with 313 cms to win the “Pizza This” voucher, Henry Lysaght (Townsville) got Stu’s ball on 15 and Peter Urquhart claimed the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18 with 151 cms.

Saturday’s Medley Stableford had 79 players for another shotgun start at 9.30 to dodge potential causeway flooding. Stephen Kimber (16) continued his good form to win Division 1 (0 to 16) with 40 points from Cooper Patricks (6) from Coffs Harbour 38 points. In Division 2 (17 to 45), Jason Rolff (17) won with 40 points on countback from Dennis Ashton (21). Other good scores from Dianne O’Leary 39, John Morgan & Lucas Gregory 38, the ball rundown to 34 on countback. NTP’s to John Morgan on 2 (Longest Putt) and 8, Colin Wormleaton on 5, Edward Penrose on 15 and Christian Knight got the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18. Congratulations to Stuart Johnston for the shot of the day and an early Christmas present by acing the 175 metre Par Three 7th Hole – we don’t get too many HIO’s on that hole!

See you on the Island!

By Geoff McCANN