THIS week’s article comes to you from Harrison in the Gungahlin region of Canberra.  However, the week began with a well-attended member’s information session on Sunday, March 8.

Just on 60 people listened with interest to Geoff Lanham, Phil Haynes and Dominic Connaughton before asking a series of questions in relation to fees, carts and storage, new initiatives and the latest with respect to the new bridge over Little Lake. In all a lively and informative session that went for over an hour and a half. The feedback was considerable and as expected not everyone agreed with all that was proposed but such is life in any large club like ours. These sessions are a great opportunity for members to air their views and the success of same was clear to all those present. Well done to all of you.

What is often overlooked is that our golf course is ranked the 59th best course in Australia and the 28th highest ranked public access golf course including aesthetics and provision of a raft of services for members.

Monday saw a flood of emails and some very nice weather to start the working week. I was off to Moruya on Tuesday to sample the great food on offer at the Riverside Farmers Market. What beautiful fruit, vegetables and fish are on offer each week. This was capped off by 9mms of rain that evening but I am not sure Narooma got that much rain.

By Tuesday morning we had already received 144 entries for the Seahorse Classic which on the June long weekend every year. Peter Jones, the captain, had emailed the entries out on Monday morning and 24 hours later the competition was full. That is amazing on a number of fronts but indicates the power of the internet and the popularity of the game interstate and elsewhere. It also is a reminder of the role the internet has for the future of the club in these challenging and changing times. Nationwide there are heaps of social changes underway that influence people's leisure time pursuits including sport, gaming, travel and accessing information. Narooma Golf Clubs website is an increasingly significant marketing tool attracting golfers and potential members of all ages. All of us, as members, have an additional role in promoting the club in a range of other settings, including the media of course.

Thursday's Stableford Competitions

It was a mild 20 degrees at 8am with high cloud keeping temperatures low for most of the day. A southerly persisted throughout and gusts reached over 50kmh at times. This made golf more than a trifle difficult especially hitting in to the wind at the third hole, many taking "cowards corner" rather than hitting across the gap. The course looked a picture and the greens were an absolute joy to putt on.

There were a number of visitors in the field on Thursday but the winners in all grades were locals. Michael Commins continued his good form of late with another win in A grade. Course superintendent, Brendan Warby, took out B grade with an incredible 47 points, seven clear of the runner up Tony Cobcroft. I understand Brendan sank a number of long putts and as the old saying goes "hit for show but putt for dough". I am overdue in my plans to interview Brendan for this column; however, I will get around to it one of these days. The tall and talented John Matthews won C grade on a count back from Edgar Kastowsky and the other highlight was the eagle at the second hole by Rod Shepherd.

On Friday we were off to Canberra for my first visit for 2015. It was a cool 16 degrees at 8am when we left the coast but we were in for a shock as when we got out of the car in Braidwood it was chilly 12 degrees and a reminder of what happens all too often on the southern tablelands. Saturday was a more pleasant day with temperatures in the mid 20's and a pleasant day for a round of golf at RMC Golf Club, Duntroon. The countryside up here is dry and sad, contrasting with our beautiful coastal plain in the Eurobodalla Shire.

Saturday's Stableford Competitions

In my absence the results in all grades were fairly close. Brett Thompson won A grade on a count back with 38 points, Colin O'Sullivan scored 41 points to take out B grade and so too, Mark Westwood, to narrowly win C grade. Janice Eardley won the ladies with 33 points. Well done to all the winners.

Events coming up

As I mentioned a week or so back Narooma is hosting a US Masters inspired golf competition on Monday, April 13. From 6.30am there will be breakfast provided by Paul's On the Course and golf from Augusta on the big screens followed by a big round of golf. Lots of prizes are on offer and considerable novelty to the event, with additional rewards for anyone who plays to their handicap, has no wipes and so on.

Additionally there is the Oyster Festival coming up on the weekend of May 2 in Narooma plus the opportunity for another big game at our great course.

I am off to watch the Canberra Raiders play the New Zealand Warriors this afternoon. It is a fine day here in Canberra with a light breeze. Autumn colours make this time of year pretty in the nation capital and anyone thinking of a Hot Air Balloon ride ought to do so soon before the first frosts arrive. Yesterday morning at 7.30am I counted over a dozen balloons in the southern skies as I looked down the Canberra valley and it was a cool 10 degrees. Brrr.

The weather for this week will be influenced by the cyclones and associated weather patterns coming from out west and which are due to influence our region by Thursday. I hope it doesn't put a dampener on our plans for golf on Thursday.

Time to sign off now, so I will leave you with all with best wishes for another full week of fun and games in and around Narooma Golf Club.

Cheers and good health.

Regards, Bill Baker

Narooma men’s golf

Tuesday, March 10 - 12 Hole Stableford

Winner, Peter Jones 24 points. Runner-up, Garry James 23 points c/b.

Nearest to pin: 9th Nil, 14th Ron Gordon, 17th Nil.

Golf balls down to lucky Bob Piper on 21 points.

Thursday, March 12 - Men’s Stableford

A Grade: Winner, Michael Commins 38 points. Runner-up, John parker 37 points c/b. Third, Neil Towers 37 points.

B Grade: Winner, Brendan Warby 47 points. Runner-up, Tony Cobcroft 40 points. Third, Chris Hewitt 38 points.

C Grade: Winner, John Matthews 42 points c/b. Runner-up, Edgar Kastowsky 42 points. Third, Geoff Broadfoot 40 points.

Nearest to pin: 3rd Colin Pratt, 9th Alan Butterworth, 14th Chris Hewitt, 17th Graham Hill.

Eagles Nest:

Rod Shepherd 2nd Hole 6 balls.

Golf balls down to all on 35 points.

Saturday, March 14 - Men’s Stableford

A Grade: Winner, Brett Thompson 38 points c/b. Runner-up, Robert Hunter 38 points. Third, Paul Lefel 37 points c/b.

B Grade: Winner, Colin O’Sullivan 41 points. Runner-up, Robert Coulson 39 points c/b. Third, Paul Ingamells 39 points.

C Grade: Winner, Mark Westwood 41 points. Runner-up, Chris Holwell 40 points. Third, Graeme Mahoney 39 points.

Ladies Grade:

Winner, Janice Eardley 33 points.

Nearest to pin: 3rd Derek Smith, 9th Martin Turner, 14th Michael Finniss, 17th Scott Clarke.

Golf balls down to all on 34 points.

Narooma ladies golf

Monday, March 9 - Stableford

Division 1 Winner: J Blessington 34 points ocb.

Division 2 Winner: R Sztama 37 points ocb.

NTP 3rd hole Division 2: J Healy.

14th hole Division 1: Nil.

Balls to 32.

Wednesday, March 11 - Stroke-Monthly Medal

Monthly Medal Winner: Dorelle Monteith.

K Ryan had a wonderful Eagle on the 11th hole. Congratulations.

DPP 17th hole: K Ryan.

Putting: Jenny Walker 30 putts.

Division 1 Winner: D. Monteith 73.

Runner up: J Blessington 75

Division 2 Winner: S Neill 75 ocb

Runner up: P Shepherd 75

NTP 9th hole Division 2: T James.

14th hole Division 1: D. Monteith.

Balls down to 78.