I DIDN’T think I would every say “thank heavens for the big winds” but with the damp conditions, the wind has been our saviour drying out large parts of the course.
The Wednesday veterans had another good field this past week and former club captain David Blair found the course to his liking with a fine 69 net to win the stroke medal event from club handicapper Geoff Swaffield. Geoff then beat Jim Bradshaw on a countback both with net 70. Jim Bradshaw also won the nearest the pin (NTP) on the 3rd/12th and remarkably, Geoff Swaffield did likewise on the 7th/16th. Peter Tait showed his “gentle” side by winning the putting competition and Peter Jansson won the OBE category for “veteran” veterans.
In the Thursday chook run, Jim Bradshaw continued his form to shoot 20 points to beat fellow ‘skin’ player Rod Brown on a countback. Dion Haetea is obviously enjoying his holidays from the abs, his 19 points picking up third spot from Bill Cooper also on a countback. As usual Rod Brown won a NTP, this week on the third hole and Nick Williams managed a good one on the 7th to win that NTP.
Last Saturday players played the first round of the 2010 men’s foursomes championships with the father/son combination of John and Damian Keen winning the net with a 69 from Dave Irvine and Bill Osborne on net 70. The Keens also lead B-grade gross by two shots from the Hynes / Braham and Martin / Crowe combinations. Good to see Trevor sharing his partners around in the foursomes. Apparently he had to get a new partner this year as last year’s has still got the shakes. In A-grade, Glenn Thorburn and AJ Miler also lead by two shots, from Paul Knapp and Geoff Blanch. There is no truth to the rumour that a mixed team is coming third in A-grade. C-grade is still very open, Dave Irvine and Bill Osborne currently leading, but there are at least a dozen other teams in with a chance of taking out the 2010 title.
NTPs on Saturday were such that players only had one shot at the goodies. Syd Gilfillan started the ball rolling winning both the Plaza Butchers 1st/10th and the club voucher on the 3rd/12th. One of the Jones team won the 4th/13th schooner hole, AJ Miller produced an easy putt on the 7th/16th for his partner to win the popular Bayview Seafoods voucher and last but not least, John Hynes won the Bent on Food voucher on the 9th/18th.
A big congratulations also this week to very popular lady golfer Pat Whiteley who managed an amazing hole in one in a CNC event at Port Macquarie. Pat was forced to use her driver and after being called onto the green by the group in front, Pat played her shot. Apparently she thought she had hit someone when everyone started yelling as she did not see the ball go into the hole. However, she was definitely elated when she found out she had scored her first ace. Ironically, the day before, Pat scored a nine on the hole. Congratulations Pat.
This week is round two of the foursomes and if the winds keep up, there will be some interesting scoring. Good luck and good golfing.
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