Welcome to this week’s golf report with the news that the course is in such pristine condition, that play was “off the deck” (no preferred lies) for the first time for a long time.
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Congrats must go, first and foremost to greenkeeper Dave and his “staff” and secondly to the captain Neville for his decision to try it. There are always complaints from golfers, but those are mainly because we have been used to “preferred lies” for such a long time. The other factor to be considered is that most golfers complain they can’t hit the fairway anyway so I can’t see what the problem is.
Saturday competition Manning Signs individual stableford
A BETTER field of 65 golfers tried out the “new” playing conditions Saturday and for the winners it was play as normal. In fact I was quite surprised at some of the scores returned as the course has definitely been the winner over the past few weeks with the lack of run and heavy growth on the fairways etc.. That new fairway mower must be a beauty. Best score and winner on Saturday was retired “schoolie” Alex Kees with a tremendous 44 points. Great score Alex. Other winners included Barry Brown (A grade nett 42 points), John Hynes (B grade 40 points) and Damian Heywood (C grade with 40 points). Runners-up in each grade were Bill Osborne (A grade 40 points), Franz Schubert (B grade 39) and C grade runner-up was Bob Rosevear, back again at his old club after a few years absent. In the ball competition balls went out to 35 with Lionel Fell the last winner.
The nearest to the pins competition was unbelievably competitive with several normally good shots “knocked off”. Every winner was under ‘nine feet’ with all bar one ‘four feet’ or under. Of those, “Shot of the day” went to Rod Desborough with a superb shot inside 30 cm on the Wingham Plaza Butcher’s 1st/10th. Others included Geoff Swaffield on the Manning Natural Healing 3rd/12th, Bill Osborne the All About Conveyancing 4th/13th, Jim Bradshaw the 7th/16th Bayview Seafoods hole and Dave Irvine hit a great shot to win the 9th/18th Bent on Food prize. Well played gentlemen and others.
Wednesday veterans
A FIELD of 42 vets met the starter Wednesday for the Bowen and Homewood single stableford event. Alex Wilson “wound back the clock” to win his first event for a while with 38 points. Handicapper Geoff Swaffield was second with 37 points and Brian Haynes third with 36 points, remarkably neither one on a countback. Dave Andrews had to get his name in somewhere and did so via the NTP on the 3rd/12thj with a great shot to ‘two feet’ (and got the putt). Alex Wilson completed a good day winning the NTP on the 7th/16th.
Thursday LJ Hooker chook run
THE biggest field for a while, 40 golfers, enjoyed fine conditions last week with prize ‘money’ going out to seventh place. Best on the day went to Peter Axisa, who used to play off 22 handicap. Peter played his best round ever to record 24 points, a clear three shots ahead of runner-up Terry “Tezza” Grant making a rare appearance in the Thursday chook run ‘skins’ (and cleaning up of course). Terry’s 21 points beat Ken Squires on a countback, then came AJ Miller in fourth spot with 19 points. Fifth, sixth and seventh places went to Dave Andrews, Mark Fotheringham and Sandy Dunn, all with 18 points. NTP winners were Sharon Juzoitis on the third and Mark Fotheringham on the seventh. The weekly grudge match between the handicapper and the “masseuse” was a non-event with both players rarely troubling the scorer, the handicapper with a bad case of “man flu” and the “masseuse” well… no excuse at all really.
Friday ladies
A HAPPY group of golfers played a single Stableford Friday last with Chris Cavanagh the day’s winner. Noelene nelson was runner-up followed by Mary Stevens, Ruth Woodward, Jill Hampton and Cheryl Andrews. Chris also won the NTP and Belinda Tonkin was the best of the long markers.
Coming events
THIS Saturday is Anzac Day and most people will take time out to remember those who have given their all to Australia over the years in war times. However golf will still be on as usual and a single stableford for the Wingham Beef Exports trophy is up for grabs.
The big event in the next few weeks is the 2015 Country Wide Business Solutions Club Championships over 72 holes with a seeded draw in the final round. These run from May 2 to 23. Sheets are in the club.
Also the finalists in the “Specsavers” Matchplay have been determined and Franz Schubert will play AJ Miller in that match this week.
Finally the “Holden Scramble” at Wingham Golf Club is set down for Sunday June 21. Don’t miss these big games.
Good luck and good golfing.