FOR THE WEEK ENDING SUNDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2023.

A full calendar of Golf this week, including the final rounds of the Men’s & Women’s Championships, and the Men’s Open day. Thanks to continual close monitoring and watering, the greens are coping well with the drought conditions.

If your game has been briefly interrupted by staff hand watering, we do apologise, but this is essential to avoid any sudden burn-off. This week’s featured sponsor is The Plaza Butchery – thank you!

Tuesday’s Medley Stableford was won by Keith Elphick (22) with 37 points from Clyde Johnston (26) with 36 points on c/b from Gary Rumble. The Ball rundown to 30 points on c/b. NTP’s went to Dane Grabbe (Kempsey) on 5, Heather Gray on 7, Colin Wormleaton on 8, Tony O’Rourke (Bonville) won the ”Pizza This” voucher on 13 & Stu’s ball on 15, and Scott Acton (Grafton) won the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18.

The Women played a Stroke event as the final round of their Championships. Dianne O’Leary (18) won “A” Grade (0 to 23) with net 69 from Kerrie Eichorn (11) net 75. Jenny Thorne (26) won “B” Grade with Net 70 from Jan Harris (28) net 71. “C” Grade (31 to 45) winner was Shayne Scott (41) with net 67 from Fiona Chaffey (34) net 75. The Ball Rundown to net 76 on c/b. NTP’s to Jan Harris,& Shayne Scott on 5, Lyn Grose won the “Pizza This” voucher on 13 and Kerrie Eichorn pocketed the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18. Congratulations to the 2023 Women’s Champions: “A” Grade & Club Champion, Kerrie Eichorn, “B” Grade Champion Kerrie Jackson and “C” Grade Champion Kay Mcgoldrick.

Thursday’s 4BBB Medley Stableford was won by Peter Thompson & Philip Mander (17) with a massive 48 points to win from Neil Duffus & Daryl Wall (16) on 46 points. The Ball rundown to 42 points on c/b. The “Ecomist” Longest Putt on 2 was canned by Neil Duffus, other NTP’s to Kai Burkenshaw on 5, Steve Frost on 7, Daryl Wall on 8, Adam Forbes (Charlestwon) on 13 & 15, and Graham Watson won the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18.

Saturday’s weather was rather unkind to players in the final round of the Men’s Championships, with a combination of very dry fairways and a strong nor’easter making it very tricky to judge what club to use on those downwind shots. “A” Grade (0 to 12) winner was Stephen Carr (6) net 70 from Stuart Johnston (10) net 72. David McBaron won scratch 76. “B” Grade (13 to 18) winner was Geoffrey Brooks (18) net 69 from John Nebauer (18) net 71. Paul Ryan won scratch 86. David Wilson (23) won “C” Grade (19 to 36) with 66 net on c/b from Bruce Mason (20). Andrew Mackinnon won scratch with 88.Ball rundown to 76 on c/b. Stuart Johnston got the “Ecomist” Longest Putt on 2, other NTP’s to Rick Heywood on 5 and 8, Andrew Mackinnon on 7, Ben Venner won the “Pizza This” voucher on 13, Jamie Lucas got Stu’s ball on 15 & Andrew Johnston pockets the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18 managing to stop the ball 126cms from the hole. Congratulations to our Champions – Club & “A” Grade- David McBaron , “B” Grade – Nathaniel Beverley & “C” Grade – Bruce Mason. Trophies will be awarded on Presentation Day – Saturday 18th November at conclusion of golf.

Similar weather conditions prevailed for Sunday’s Men’s Open Day, sponsored by Williams Group Australia – many thanks to Glen Crow for supporting this event over the years. Winners were also rewarded with a range of Golf Umbrellas (Yes- bring on the rain!!), and lots of other promotional items. Open Winner was David McBaron (3) with 76, Net winner Glen Gillon (9) from Bowraville 69. “A” Grade (0 to 12) Gross was won by Stefan Walker (Port Macquarie) 78, Net winner Daryl Wall (10) 73. “B” Grade (13 to 18) Gross winner was Craig Haworth 85, Net winner Wolfram Jirzik (18) 73. “C” Grade (19 to 36) Gross winner Scott Burley 90, Net winner Jopseph Siniska (19) from Warringah 73. The Ball rundown to net 77 on c/b. NTP’s to Daryl Wall on 5, New Newman on 8, Glen Crow on 13, Glen Gillon on 18. Accuracy Drives won by Troy Herbert, Steve Frost & Martin Painter (Forster-Tuncurry). Scott Brown was awarded the “Bradmans”. Uncollected Trophy vouchers can be collected from the Office, NTP and Ball Rundown can be collected from the Pro-shop.

No more stroke rounds for a while! Next Saturday 28th October Medley Stableford is your last chance to make a move on the “Handiskins” Leaderboard, also a “TopGun Shootout” qualifier, and President Vs Captain Day. A reminder that the Club’s AGM is on Sunday 19th November – nominations for Board of Directors has now closed.

See you on the Island.

By Geoffrey McCANN