The weather report so far for the year has not been good; too many stinking hot days and not enough rain. I don’t know how you farmers put up with it. You are a tough breed.

Sponsored very generously by Jax Tyres, this is the 2016 Wingham Cup, postponed from November 2016.

Considering the conditions, a good field of 62 players showed tremendous resilience in the hot weather to record some good scores.

Best on the day, and winner of the overall scratch event was Paul Boyd with a fine four over par 76. Considering he started with a triple bogey on the very first hole, that is an excellent score.

Overall nett winner was James Urquhart with an equally fine 82/nett 68, beating three very unlucky other players on a countback. Grade nett winners were Rod Desborough (A grade with 72 nett), John Hynes (B grade nett 71 on a c/b) and Stephen Foy (C grade with 68 on a countback).

Runners-up included former Wingham boy, now a member of Kurri Kurri, Luke Schubert with a nett 75 on a countback. Well played all.

One lady played, Jane Rooker from Kurri, and she cleaned up in that section. In the ball competition, the course was again the winner – the last one to Craig Harrison with 74 on a countback.

Nearest to the pins were hard to win, except to that of Richard Clarke’s on the All About Conveyancing 4th/13th hole. Richard finished 47cm from the hole to win Shot of the Day. Other winners were Reid Brown on the Wingham Remedial Massage 3rd/12th, yours truly on the Bayview Seafoods 7th/16th with a lucky one and Phil Hanlen won the Bent on Food 9th/18th. The Wingham Plaza Butchers 1st/10th was not claimed.

Thirty eight veterans enjoyed the warm conditions Wednesday last with Ken Malpass winning the day with a nett 70 on a countback from John Thompson. Brian Roberts is playing some good golf and he finished third with nett 71. NTP winners were Geoff Swaffield on the 3rd/12th, Les Murray on the 7th/16th and Dave Andrews won the 9th/18th. Frank Lawrence won the day’s putting with 28 putts.

A relatively small field of 39 players “shot for the shade” on Wednesday, but despite the hot conditions, some good scores were recorded.

“Beatties” (Adam Beattie) won the day with a fine six under par 30 to beat runners-up “U Hate Us” (Pat Whiteley) by just over a shot. This was the girls first appearance on the winner’s dias, so congratulations. Third spot went to “Nobody”s  (Richard Clarke)one third of a shot away. Sharon Juozaitis hit a great shot to win the NTP, a mere 14cm from the hole. Paul Boyd won the $15 voucher.

The smallest field for a while, 28 players, turned out on Thursday. Late starter Bev Bisby won the day with a massive 24 points to win by four shots. That was a bit of a coincidence, as she then lost four shots from her handicap. Great round though Bev.

Runner-up was Craig Harrison on a countback from Graham Steel (very unlucky) and Rex White all on 20 points. NTP winners were Phil Nelson on the 3rd and Ian Herd won the 7th.

Sixteen players fronted the starter on Friday and it was Pat Whiteley, back in form winning the day with 21 points. Joy White was second with 20 points on a countback from Margaret Earley. Margaret won a ball along with Debbie Stewart and Elaine Findler. Recently retired Lesley Steel won the NTP.

This Saturday is a single Stableford sponsored by Wingham Beef and the following Saturday is the annual Wally Masters, a very enjoyable event. Also presentation night is down for this Saturday night, January 21.

Good luck and good golfing.