HELLO from Crescent Head on the mid north coast of NSW. Before I address the major men's competitions for the past week I would like to tell you a little bit about this famous surfing, fishing and golfing holiday destination. It has a lot in common with Narooma and region in that sense.
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This area, 18 kilometres east of Kempsey, was first surveyed in 1802. It is renowned for its unusual land formations with the town protected from the southerlies by a large headland, Big Nobby and a smaller point, Little Nobby. It is the latter that fashions one of the best long boarding waves in the world. From the point to the beach is a ride of around 500 metres. No joke. My son Liam, a keen photographer and surfer, took a video of me the other day and mentioned that I was on the wave for over 30 seconds. Like the region around Narooma this location was settled by Europeans from the mid 1830's and the Koori people given a reserve in 1892. Weren't we kind to the locals?
The trade winds, those persistent easterly and nor'easterly breezes, had been dominant the past few days so I had to get the clubs out for a game locally on the little six hole course. You play it three times and it is a trifle hilly to say the least, a par 63 and only 3521 metres. There are nine par 3's and also nine par 4's. A couple of years ago I was having a hit on my own and on the par 3 sixth hole and had my first hole in one. However, there were no witnesses to this event and it was a source of great fun to all when I reported same. Pull the other leg Bill, or words to that effect.
Anyhow time for Narooma golf news now and kindly sent to me by our captain, Peter Jones. Thanks again PJ.
What stands out is the quality of the scores all week. For instance on Thursday last Barry Pateman had an outstanding 45 points and was five points clear of mister consistency, Laurie Holmes and Clive Williamson who scored 39 points. That was A grade and in B grade Chris Eardley beat Ken Adams on a count back with 43 points and Tony Hunt picked up third prize with 41 Stableford points. Perry "Pipi" Pericleous won C grade with 41 points edging out Don Caldwell on a count back with young Norman Baxendale getting third money with 39 points. The other point of note is that Clive Williamson scored an eagle at the par 4 eighth hole and collected the so called Eagle's nest of eight golf balls. Well done gentlemen.
So to Saturday and in A grade Clive Williamson was the winner again with 42 points and he nudged the man from the Murrumbidgee River, Bill Durnan, into second place on a count back. Actually Bill is a Wagga Wagga boy, a place where my wife hailed from, and the home of many a fine sportsman / sportswoman. Nice place to visit but bloody hot in summer. Third place in A grade went to Leonardo Garcia with 41 points. So to B grade where Ted Poczyhajlo beat Peter James on a count back with 39 points and Chris Hewitt was placed third with 38 points. In C grade Rob Gordon had 42 points and was two points clear of Peter Jones who finished ahead of James O'Sullivan on a count back.
I am looking forward to golf on Thursday and Saturday at Narooma after a couple of weeks away. The greens ought to be back to just about perfect and I hope to find some form as we head towards the Narooma open and the Melbourne Cup in early November. There is a big gig on at the golf club on Melbourne Cup day so save your money and put it in your diary folks. A fun day is assured. If only I had a designated driver!
See you on the course and / or in the club. All the best, happy punting and bye for now from a slightly homesick boy from Potato Point, or as Bill Durnan and Graham Mumme call it, Cape Fear! Pardon! I nearly forgot to say a special hello to Bodgie Lee who is recovering after knee reconstruction. His partner Laura and the physio must be looking forward to getting the big man back on the golf course. The course is a much quieter place without him and when I saw him last he was looking leaner and I can't say meaner. All the best "Bodgie".
Regards and good health, Bill Baker.
Narooma men’s golf
Tuesday, October 7 - 12 Hole Stableford
Winner, Nigel Roberts 25 points. Runner-up, Bob Mettam 24 points c/b. Third, Grant Mairs (Vis) 24 points.
Nearest to pin: 9th Chris Goldsmith, 14th John Hasler, 17th Grant Mairs.
Golf balls down to lucky Ian Vincent on 21 points.
Thursday, October 9 - Men’s Stableford
A Grade: Winner, Barry Pateman 45 points. Runner-up, Laurie Holmes 40 points. Third, Clive Williamson 39 points.
B Grade: Winner, Chris Eardley 43 points c/b. Runner-up, Ken Adams 43 points. Third, Tony Hunt 41 points.
C Grade: Winner, Perry Pericleous 41 points c/b. Runner-up, Don Caldwell 41 points. Third, Norm Baxendale 39 points.
Nearest to pin: 3rd Allan Mulhall, 9th Jeff Kelly, 14th Andrew Thompson, 17th Dave Hayward.
Eagles Nest 8 Balls 8th Hole Clive Williamson.
Golf balls down to all on 34 points.
Friday, October 10 - 9 Hole Stableford
Winner, Peter John 19 points. Runner-up, John Mairs 18 points c/b. Third, Julian Owen 18 points.
Nearest to pin: 3rd W McMillan, 17th D Mullins.
DPP 17th M Spong.
Golf balls down to lucky John Mairs on 18 points.
Saturday, October 11 - Men’s Stableford
A Grade: Winner, Clive Williamson 42 points c/b. Runner-up, Bill Durnan 42 points. Third, Leonardo Garcia 41 points.
B Grade: Winner, Ted Poczyhajlo 39 points c/b. Runner-up, Peter James 39 points. Third, Chris Hewitt 38 points.
C Grade: Winner, Rob Gordon 42 points. Runner-up, Peter Jones 40 points c/b. Third, James O’Sullivan 40 points.
Ladies Grade: Winner, Pam Shepherd 39 points c/b. Runner-up, Diana Williamson 39 points.
Nearest to pin: 3rd Harold Mackie, 9th Jeff Kelly, 14th Garry Bennett, 17th Nathan Vogel.
Golf balls down to all on 35 points.
Narooma ladies golf
Monday, October 6 Stableford
Winner: Division 1: K Lawrence 42 points.
Winner: Division 2: M Casswell 34 points.
NTP: 3rd hole Division 1: C Fader.
9th hole Division 2: L. McCarthy.
Balls 32.
Wednesday, October 8 Stroke
Winner: Division 1: S Donohoe 71 ocb.
Runner Up: Division 1: M Bennett 71.
Winner: Division 2: J Whyte 71 ocb.
Runner Up: Division 2: R Sztama 71.
NTP 3rd hole Division 1: S Donohoe.
9th hole Division 2: J Whyte.
Balls to 76.
