AS we head at full speed into March let me welcome autumn on your behalf. The summer of 2014-2015 was, upon brief reflection, fairly mild temperature wise with the hottest day on January 14 at 29 degrees. Rainfall so far this year totals 155mms and the region and the golf course look great as a result.
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The past week has been a mix of warm northerlies at the start of the week followed by a couple of overcast and cloudy days with local rainfall varying from nothing in Narooma to 34 at Eurobodalla according to Bruce Collett. Potato Point had 24mms over two evenings mid-week and Bodalla a little more.
Thursday's golf
I missed out on golf on Thursday as Janice and I drove to Merimbula so I could play in the Far South Coast Veterans Golf at Pambula / Merimbula on Friday morning. More on that later but first to the Narooma Stableford competition which was played in near perfect conditions with little or no wind and temperatures in the mid 20’s. I expected the scores to be good but as the results below indicate, they are good indeed.
Bill Durnan won A grade with a meritorious 41 points. Fantastic golf Bill. Playing off a handicap of three, this equates with two under par for him and perhaps a personal best, not sure. Close behind were Chris Brown and Phil Haynes, both with 40 points. Phil told me that was a PB for him with six over par. In B grade Chris Eardley won with 42 points whereas in C grade Gary James won a count back from Peter Duryea. It was close in all three divisions.
On route to Merimbula we had lunch in Cobargo where all was in readiness for their annual Folk Festival, the 42nd year it has run. We went last year and it was a lot of fun, music, food, drinks and good company of course.
Friday Veterans Golf
Pambula / Merimbula attracted over a hundred starters and we all enjoyed a lovely day for golf. Unfortunately I don't have all the results for same but when I left on Friday afternoon our own Gordon Roberts had the equal best score of 37 points in the men's division. It is a 27 hole golf course and we played the front 18. My playing partners were two young 74 year olds, Harvey Michael from Narooma and Tony Austin from Tura Beach. Interesting gentlemen and active souls too. How is this for character, Tony plays golf three times a week, rides his bike 16kms three times a week from Merimbula bridge to Pambula Beach. He also walks a dog daily and goes fishing when he can.
Harvey Michael is a farmer near Cobargo and also is a serious sailor with two yachts, one in the inlet in Narooma that he shares with this mate Gary Morgan. They took Andrew Thompson on his maiden voyage up around Hamilton Island towards the end of last year. "Thommo" can wax lyrical about his adventures, and they golf in every port when they can.
The next Veterans game is at Tathra or Tuross later this month.
Saturday's Golf
A fine, warm and lovely day to finish February and usher in a new set of winners, with Michael Commins taking out A grade with 38 points on a count back from Joel Campbell. Joel now lives and works in Melbourne and is another fine golfer from the Campbell clan.
In B grade Bruce Smith took first prize with 41 points and Gilbert Mott had the same score to win C grade. In the ladies the well-known Robin Shackleton won with a hefty 46 points. Well done all the winners.
On Saturday evening the club was packed and everyone in the full house anticipated winning the Holden Cruze which was drawn just before 9pm. The winner was Andrew Duggan and what a fine prize and what a great raffle it was. Thanks must go to Alan May Holden, our General Manager, Dominic Connaughton and his staff for the promotion and presentation of all the prizes. Our president, Geoff Lanham, in making the presentation jokingly suggested wouldn't it be great if we could do it every week? Like?
What's coming up?
As the Ides of March draw near I would like to mention the new US Masters inspired golf competition planned for Monday, April 13 at Narooma. With support from Colin Holmes, our professional, and trophies and prizes sponsored by the generous Terry Dowling plus Chris and Janice Eardley. Entry is $30 and includes a cooked breakfast by 'Paul's on the Course', access to the big screen coverage of the Masters from Augusta and then golf to follow. Lots of novelty prizes as well. Put it in your diary folks as it will be a big morning in more ways than one.
As I close a strong south south westerly wind is gusting to 50kmh and there is a chance of a thunderstorm. Janice just spotted a red bellied black snake in the garden. Her reaction has sent it into our neighbour's place. One more thing for me to keep an eye on this week.
The coming week also includes our annual planning day involving all stakeholders in the club and next Sunday is the scheduled Member's information session. Busy busy! No rest for the wicked.
Have a great week everyone and I will report again next week.
Cheers, good health and regards, Bill Baker.
Narooma men’s golf
Tuesday, February 24 - 12 Hole Stableford
Winner, Peter Shakeshaft 28 points c/b. Runner-up, Bruce Rapkins 28 points.
Nearest to pin: 9th Ken O’Mahoney, 14th Bob Mettam, 17th Chris Goldsmith.
Golf balls down to lucky Ken Adams on 22 points.
Thursday, February 26 - Men’s Stableford
A Grade: Winner, Bill Durnan 41 points. Runner-up, Chris Brown 40 points c/b. Third, Phil Haynes 40 points.
B Grade: Winner, Chris Eardley 42 points. Runner-up, Ron Gordon 41 points. Third, Robert Hindmarsh 40 points.
C Grade: Winner, Garry James 40 points c/b. Runner-up, Peter Duryea 40 points. Third, Ross Giblett 39 points.
Nearest to pin: 3rd Wayne Houston, 9th Paul Stokes, 14th Peter Kape, 17th Graham Kerr.
Golf balls down to all on 36 points.
Friday, February 27 - 9 Hole Par
Winner, Peter John square. Runner-up, Rose Sztama minus 1.
Nearest to pin: 3rd Joe Ryan, 17th J Johnson.
DPP 17th M Smith.
Golf balls down to lucky M Smith on minus 1.
Saturday, February 28 - Men’s Stableford
A Grade: Winner, Michael Commins 38 points c/b. Runner-up, Joel Campbell 38 points. Third, David Skuthorpe 37 points.
B Grade: Winner, Bruce Smith 41 points. Runner-up, Bob Piper 39 points c/b. Third, Chris Hewitt 39 points c/b.
C Grade: Winner, Gil Mott 41 points c/b. Runner-up, Ian Harris 41 points. Third, Tony Casu 40 points c/b.
Ladies Grade:
Winner, Robyn Shackleton 46 points
Nearest to pin: 3rd Ian Harris, 9th Meridie Banson, 14th Dave Hayward, 17th Joel Campbell.
Golf balls down to all on 35 points.
Narooma Ladies golf
Monday 23rd February - Stableford
Winner Division 1: K. Lawrence 37 ocb
Winner Division 2: J. McIntyre 36 points
NTP 3rd hole Div. 1: D.Wilkes
9th hole Div. 2: A. Burke
Balls to 34 points
Wednesday, February 25 - Stableford - North v South
Winner Division 1: K. Roberts 36 ocb
Runner Up: K. Lawrence 36 points
Winner Division 2: D. Landells 39 points
Runner Up: L. Gibbons 35 points
NTP 3rd hole Div. 2 J. McIntrye
14th hole Div. 1 J. Walker
Balls to 32
South 30.18 def
North 30.17
9 Hole Ladies Golf stroke/putt competition 25/2/15
WINNER: I. Whitty 48 net
RUNNER UP: D.Johnston 49 net
PUTTING: J.Johnston 16 puts
Contact Louise 4476 5131 if interested in playing 9 holes golf or meet outside pro shop 9.15 Wednesday mornings
