SUMMER has arrived with a vengeance! Never thought I’d be saying this again, but we could really do with some rain, many parts of the course now showing the signs of heat stress. Great work from your Greens Team, working tirelessly to keep your Greens free from sunburn and fungus – we love your work, guys! This week’s featured sponsor is Nambucca Smash Repairs – thank you!

Winner of Tuesday’s Medley Stableford was Matthew Gittoes (23) from Sawtell with 39 points from William Mann (20) on 38 points on c/b from Martine Murray & Kerrie Eichorn. The Ball rundown to 31 points on c/b. NTP’s to Nicholas Street on 5, Philip Mander on 7, Rhonda Rowe on 8, Warwick Lean collected the “Pizza This” voucher on 13, Matthew Gittoes got Stu’s ball on 15, and Gary Scott collected the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18.

The Ladies played a 9 Hole Stableford on Wednesday – won by Wendy Ritchie (31) with 22 points from Sue Brooks (12) with 20 points. Judy Boyle & Jennifer Ainsworth collected a ball in the Rundown with 18 points.

A 2 Person Ambrose for a bit of a change on Thursday produced some pretty hot scores. Barry Hinton & Troy Herbert (6.25) won the event with 57.75 net from Nicholas Street & Trevor Hopkins (7.25) 58.75. Other good pairs were Julie & Stephen Carr 60.25, Peter Bush & Stuart Johnston and Nathaniel Beverley & Christine Crowley 62.75, with the ball rundown to 63.75. Drew Glasson sank the Longest Putt on 2 for the “Ecomist” Loaded Stubby Holder, other NTP’s to Edward Penrose on 5 (108cms), Trevor Hopkins on 7, Nicholas Street on 8 (2.2mtrs), Keith Elphick got the Pizza This voucher on 13 with 113 cms, Barry Hinton very close on the difficult to hit 15th with only 42cms, and Bryce McCarroll will pocket the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18.

Saturday was our “Yellow Shirt Day” – a Cancer Council Fundraiser. In prior years, Neil Duffus & Colin Wormleaton competed in “The Longest Day Golf Challenge” – 72 holes of golf in one day, but this year, with the pair unable to compete, we continued the fundraising through our Saturday competition – players decked out in the finest Yellow Shirts, and using our Yellow (Gold) Tee course layout. Just about everone donated, and were rewarded with tickets in the Yellow Raffle, raising over $1,000 for Cancer Council – well done everyone – players, volunteers and Bar Staff. With a HIO and an Eagle recorded, some players certainly made the most of the shorter layout! In Division 1 (0 to 14) Peter Scott (5) scored 39 points to win from Stephen Doherty (14) with 37 points. Top score of the day to James McIlveen (15) with 40 points to win Division 2 (15 to 20) from Robert Coneybeare (15) 39 points. Fast improving newcomer Elisabeth Newberry (37) won Division 3 (21 to 45) with 39 points from Philip Smith (33) on 38 points. Other good scores from Colin Dunne 38, Dianne O’Leary, Peter Bush, Trevor Hopkins, & Stephen Carr 37, and the Ball Rundown to 34 points on c/b. Warren Fuller canned the Longest Putt on 2 to claim “Ecomist’s Loaded Stubby Holder, other NTP’s to Daniel Wassens on 5 and Peter Dawe on 8. Shots of the day from Gary Laing who Holed Out on the 7th, and Peter Scott whose 2nd shot on the 3rd Hole dropped into the cup for an Eagle – congratulations gentlemen – enjoy your Box of Golf Balls from the Eagles Nest!. Raffle winners were Bernard Dugdale, Edward Penrose, Geoff Goesch, Shane Anderson & Peter Miller – many thanks to Nicholas, Lynne & Joe Street for donating the major raffle prizes. Most of all, thank you to all players for your generousity!

From everyone at the Island Golf Club, we wish everyone a very Happy, Safe and Peaceful Christmas, and look forward to enjoying your company again next year.

See you on the Island.

By Geoffrey McCANN