Happy January everyone and I hope you all had a fun time on Australia Day. The warm weather over the weekend, the accompanying humidity and showers of an evening made it feel like Darwin in June at my place, especially on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
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Last week in my article I got my lady golfers wrong when talking about Heather McMillan as Captain. That honour belongs to Angie McMillan. My apologies also must go to Mark Westwood who I called him Tim one too many times. Another senior’s moment!
Thursday’s golf was played in fine, warm and sunny conditions with an increasingly gusty nor'easter tempering things especially on the back nine. It was 26 degrees at 11am but again it was the high humidity in the afternoon that made it slightly uncomfortable at times. It was a three water bottle day for me. The course was in great condition and it looked a picture wherever you gazed. Walking up the hill at the 5th fairway the Westpac Helicopter appeared to be on the edge of the headland as it motored north towards Dalmeny. It was a buzz!
The greens are being revitalised and many of them have tiny little holes that made putting a little trickier than normal, however, overall the course is in the best condition I have ever experienced. The green staff have widened and narrowed some fairways and that adds an extra dimension to its presentation, especially when you stand on an elevated tee, like the second. Wow what a setting for a golf course. There were 158 players and in A grade Robert Sayers won with 40 points, my old primary school friend Frank Jakubowski had 42 in B grade and Rod Hilmer with 41 took out C grade. Diana Williamson won the Ladies with 37 points.
Earlier in the week my grandson and granddaughter were surfing at Potato on an inflatable Australian flag thong. Yeah, a five foot long three foot wide rubber thong with strap. Sorry I did not get a photo for you to enjoy. We have also had productive finance and board meetings in the past week and I have been liaising with the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation on funding issues to do with our new bridge at the 8th hole. More on that in the weeks ahead.
And so to Saturday, my wife's birthday, and another great summers day for golf. I didn't play for several reasons; however the results suggest there were few challenges for the winners including paramedic, Alan Butterworth, in A grade with 43 on a count back from Douglas Caldwell. But how about Mark Anderson and his 47 points in B grade and the monumental 50 points by Kurtz Eldridge to win C grade. Incredible scores gentlemen. Late on Saturday afternoon when the lightning and thunder were underway, I wondered whether or not you had been blasted off the course or chased by the lightning as Joel Campbell and I were several years ago. We ran up the 18th fairway as the lightning followed and we had eyes like poached eggs when we got to the clubhouse. Scary stuff!
So even with an occasional little southerly change the hot, humid and tropical conditions appear to be continuing for a little while yet. Our friends from Henley, Judy and Graham Hurditch, are with us for a few days and the celebrations leading up to and over Australia Day may bring the festive season to a halt. Or so my liver is hoping.
More news next week on a range of topics but until then I will say bye bye and look forward to golf next week.
I have been given some late news, Narooma Golf Club is now ranked 39th best course in a Australia. Whacko, and that is before the recent course improvements were completed and of course before, the new bridge goes in. What might the future hold?
All the best folks as we head into February. Good health and regards, Bill Baker.
Narooma men’s golf
Thursday, January 22 - Men’s Stableford
A Grade: Winner, Robert Sayers 40 points. Runner-up, Bob Knipler 38 points c/b. Third, Brian Mills 38 points.
B Grade: Winner, Frank Jakubowski 42 points. Runner-up, Paul McInerney 41 points. Third, Ron Manly 40 points.
C Grade: Winner, Rod Holman 41 points c/b. Runner-up, Scott Thornton 41 points. Third, Lionel Field 40 points.
Ladies Grade: Winner, Diana Williamson 37 points. Runner-up, Bettina Wilson 34 points. Third, Rosaleen Williams 33 points.
Nearest to pin: 3rd Robert Ackling, 9th Andrew Thompson, 14th Ray Gale, 17th Gil Mott.
Eagles nest: 8th Hole Chris Hewitt 2 balls.
Golf balls down to all on 34 points.
Saturday, January 24 - Men’s Stableford
A Grade: Winner, Alan Butterworth 43 points c/b. Runner-up, Douglas Caldwell 43 points. Third, Brett Thompson 39 points c/b.
B Grade: Winner, Mark Anderson 47 points. Runner-up, Michael Harris 41 points. Third, James O’Sullivan 39 points.
C Grade: Winner, Kurt Eldridge 50 points. Runner-up, John Kemp 37 points. Third, Ron Gordon 36 points c/b.
Ladies Grade: Winner, Julie Whyte 40 points. Runner-up, Jayne Hotchkis 39 points. Third, Bettina Wilson 37 points c/b.
Nearest to pin: 3rd Alan Butterworth, 9th Lachlan Johnson, 14th Brendan Flattery, 17th Alan Lyall.
Golf balls down to all on 33 points.