It seems every week now for many weeks, all we do is pray for rain, and then some more. Not only that but we need quality rain, nice and soft first, then a big storm to fill dams, tanks etc. Keep praying.

Saturday competition

ONTO the golf and the February Taree Motorama Monthly Mug/ MRD Electrical Medals/ Kangaroofing Long Drives were held on Saturday last and a good field of 72 players 'enjoyed' the hot, dry conditions. One thing for sure, the run on the course is making everyone a big hitter. Unlike the weather however, scores generally were not 'hot', with only two scores in the 60s. One of those of course was to the winner, Neville Boyd from C-grade with a nett 67. Nev also won the C-grade MRD Electrical medal as well as the mug. In the other grades captain Neville Blanch won the A-grade nett and medal (nett 67), as did Matt Hardy in B-grade (nett 72). Alan Thomson's great run continues as he was the nett winner on a countback in C-grade with nett 70. Scratch winners in each grade had to work hard in the tough conditions, Barry Brown continuing his good form to win A-grade with 79, Mark Fotheringham the same with 87 in B-grade and Graham Henwood won C-grade with a 94 'off the stick'. Balls went out to 75 with Corey Moore the final recipient. 

As usual the nearest to the pin winning shots were exceptional with all less than two metres from the hole. Best on the day and therefore winner of the Caddies Restaurant "shot of the day", was the shot of John Hynes to win the Bayview Seafoods 7th/16th hole. John's shot was 17cm from the hole (seven inches to us "oldies"). Other winning shots came from Tony Henwood who won the Wingham Plaza Butchery 1st/10th, Greg Foy on the Wingham Gourmet Meats 3rd/12th, Graham Henwood hit a great shot to win the All About Conveyancing 4th/13th and retired "schoolie" Peter Tait was too good for the rest in winning the 9th/18th Bent on Food hole.

With the tremendous amount of run on the course, the winning Kangaroofing long drives were always going to be a question of who could keep them on the fairway, and in some cases that almost meant driving the green on the 9th/18th hole. In A-grade Scott Dwyer continues to impress, winning that grade, with Mark Fotheringham "booming" one out to win B-grade and in C-grade, David Broadbent was the winner. Details of "Foggy's" long drive win can be obtained from his public relations officer, Daryl Heywood.

Wednesday veterans

FIFTY nine veterans played a stableford for the Cec Pedron trophy last week and Tony Shelley was the winner with 42 points on a countback. Tony beat an unlucky Phil Hanlon with Alan Bishop third with 40 points. OBE (over "bloody" 80) winner was Barry Blakeney with an impressive 36 points. Jim Bradshaw hit at least one good shot on the day to win the NTP on the 3rd/12th hole and Peter Tait continued his good run to win the 7th/16th prize.

Wednesday twilight ambrose

ANOTHER good field of 60 players contested the mid-week ambrose this past week and again, liquid refreshment was virtually compulsory in the hot, dry conditions. "Hydro hurricanes" captained by Jo Duncan finally "broke their duck", standing atop the winner's dias finally. They also recorded their first sub-par round in winning the day. Second spot was the really "Old Tigers" team, captained this week by David Wilson. Third spot, on a countback, was the "Browns plus two" team (Reid Brown). Saul O'Brien does not normally need much of an excuse to have a celebratory drink, but in winning the port again this week, he was only too keen to share his prize after winning the port prize this week. Alan Schubert was part of the winning team this week and also won the "cooked chook" to continue his run of good luck. Shane Brown won the NTP on the short par three third.

Thursday chook run

THIRTY two players competed in this week's L J Hooker chook run and it appears that John Thorburn, who "got the monkey off his back" two weeks ago when he finally won the day, has done it again. Not only that he has lost a multitude of shots over that period and he has also won the LJ Hooker umbrella for the month of January. John returned a 40 'off the stick' for an incredible 26 points to relegate a very unlucky Graham Mansfield into second spot. Graham had 24 points, Barry Brown was third with 21, Graham Troth fourth with 20 points on a countback and Robyn Dudgeon "kept the flag flying" for the ladies claiming fifth spot with 20 points. Debbie Stewart won the NTP on the third hole and Graham Troth did likewise to win the seventh. As mentioned earlier John Thorburn won the January umbrella on 101 points, with John Halpin second with 94.

Mid week chook run

THIS week's chook run attracted 11 golfers with Pat Whiteley the winner with 21 points. Cheryl Andrews was second on a countback from three others, all on 20 points. There was no NTP this week, but if there was it would have to go to Joy White who recorded her first ever "hole-in-one". Being in a recognised competition, Joy's effort will go up in writing in the club. Well done and congratulations Joy (who was only to pleased to mention husband Rex has never had one).

Coming events

THIS Saturday is the Wingham Accounting Services Trophy, a Bisque Par event. Also coming up is the annual "David Steel Memorial Golf/Bowls Day" on Sunday, February 16. This is a nine hole, four person ambrose, with at least one capable golfer needed in each group. The golf is then followed by bowls in the afternoon at the Wingham Bowling Club. Cost is $80 per team ($20 per player) and a barbecue lunch is included. This is always a great day so get your name down on the starters sheet in the golf club. One bit of news this week concerns popular Wingham member Gary Morley. Gary apparently played a competition round recently at a local club down south, and "recorded 101 stableford points" (he actually had 101 "off the stick").

As a result Gary has now progressed from a competent 15 marker to be finally officially off single figures. Needless to say, Gary is in a hurry to correct the error and return to his original handicap. Also, a reminder to all pennant players that their competition starts this Sunday, February 10. Details are in the club. Good luck and good golfing.