The autumn equinox, when day and night are both of 12 hours duration, arrived on Wednesday and ushered another beautiful day in the low 20's.

Thursday's Stableford Competition

A fresh and still start to the day began with high scattered cloud of alto cumulus and cumulonimbus types. This kept the temperature low until mid-morning when it reached 20 degrees with a light SSW breeze. It later turned to the northwest and warmed up appreciably after lunch.

One of our playing group on Thursday was Barry Hatton, a 79-year-old from Melbourne who was enjoying a holiday in our region after winning a golf tournament in Tocumwal. He was especially happy with a birdie on the 15 hole when he chipped in from the right hand bunker. A great shot and an even better score of five points, as he plays off 21 handicap and gets two shots on that hole. I took a photo of the happy man, walking across the old bridge at the 16th, a short time later.

It was a lovely day for golf and the results are pretty flash in my view. Firstly in A grade where Barry Podmore won with 43 points playing off a handicap of 7. That is a fine round of golf and is equal to a par round at Narooma, something few have achieved. Derek Smith took out B grade with 41 points just ahead of Chris Eardley and Bill Anderson. In C grade, Norman Watson won with 43 points, edging past Michael Cummins.

Earlier in the week I was reading the SMH and there in the sports results I noted the GNSW Women's Senior Championships at Duntryleague Country Club. In the 60-64 age category Sylvia Donohoe, Narooma, defeated M Bain-Smith of Concord, 5 and 4. That is a good win to Sylvia, five up and four holes to play. Congratulations on another fine display in match play and no doubt the first of many in 2015.

Unfortunately our men's pennant teams haven't had the success of previous years and will need good results in the last rounds to make the semi-finals.

Saturday's Stableford Competition

With the weather fine, warm and mild for the weekend, expectations were high heading into golf on Saturday. When I went to vote at 8.30am it was a crisp and slightly chilly 10 degrees in Bodalla. However, clear blue skies resulted in it reaching 21 degrees by 11.30, which was the forecast high, although it got to 23 later in proceedings.

In near perfect conditions, a light southerly breeze and views north all the way to Pigeon House Mountain and the Budawangs. That is 70kms away, as the crow flies, and if you want a tough walk with great views do it some time. Steel ladders need to be climbed to get to the top. You may not know but Captain James Cook named Pigeon house on his trip up the coast in 1770. He also named Mount Dromedary, Montague Island and Cape Dromedary (Mystery Bay) and it was April 1770, only 245 years ago next month.

Les Campbell and I played in the last group with Blain Hayward and he showed us how to play golf. Blain, whose dad Michael, a keen golfer, is currently receiving treatment in a Canberra hospital, played off a handicap of 1. He hit a four under par 68 off the stick and scored a super score of 41 stableford points. He missed several putts as well so it could have been even better, not that he was complaining. Blain also had an eagle at the 8th hole. The runner up was another Hayward, this time David with 39 points to defeat Martin Turner on a count back. In B grade Derek Joe had another superb score of 45 points to win easily from Bob Bennett and Colin Pratt on 37 points. Chris Scott won C grade with 41 points, four ahead of Otto Schrey in second place.

Trish James had another win in the ladies division and has chalked up a few dollars’ worth of Easter eggs this year. Well done Trish.

On reflection, Saturday was one of those good to be alive days and a number of superlatives were mentioned to me at and after golf. They included magic, gorgeous, perfect and bloody marvellous.

"Wouldn't be dead for quids" as writer Robert Barrett penned years ago, sums it up ably. It was still 21 degrees as I drove home at 5.30pm, after one cleansing ale, with another old school mate from Queanbeyan, Alan Williams. Ageing, isn't it great? Mmm.

At this stage I don't have any results from the Far South Coast Veterans Golf Association for last week so I will sign off with a few reminders. Firstly don't forget the US Masters golf day at Narooma on Monday the April 13 and the 4BBB on the day before at Narooma. Bill Durnan and Marlene Hunt have kindly put up a few posters around the club to remind us all of these events.

A final best of luck to all the pennant teams.

It is Easter next weekend and I will be in Sydney from where I will be reporting to you next week.

Don't eat too much chocolate and I will catch you around the course in the meantime.

Cheers, good health and regards, Bill Baker

Narooma men’s golf

Thursday, March 26 - Men’s Stableford

A Grade: Winner, Barry Podmore 43 points. Runner-up, Clive Williamson 40 points. Third, Greg Riley 39 points.

B Grade: Winner, Derek Smith 41 points. Runner-up, Chris Eardley 40 points. Third, Bill Anderson 39 points.

C Grade: Winner, Norman Watson 43 points c/b. Runner-up, Michael Cummins 43 points. Third, Derek Moritz 39 points.

Nearest to pin: 3rd Ken Ewington, 9th Bob Ackling, 14th Peter James, 17th John Breust.

Golf balls down to all on 34 points.

Friday, March 27 - 9 Hole Stableford

Winner, Kevin Budds 16 points c/b. Runner-up, H McMillan 16 points.

Nearest to pin: 3rd Ian Vincent, 17th W McMillan.

DPP 17th Maureen Casswell.

Golf balls down to lucky Joe Gately on 14 points.

Saturday, March 28 - Men’s Stableford (2)

A Grade: Winner, Blain Hayward 41 points. Runner-up, David Hayward 39 points c/b. Third, Martin Turner 39 points.

B Grade: Winner, Derek Joe 45 points. Runner-up, Bob Bennett 37 points. Third, Colin Pratt 36 points c/b.

C Grade: Winner, Chris Scott 41 points. Runner-up, Otto Schrey 37 points. Third, Sid Dean 36 points c/b.

Ladies Grade: Winner, Trish James 35 points.

Nearest to pin: 3rd James O’Sullivan, 9th Peter Bashford, 14th Andrew Thompson, 17th Chris Brown.

Golf balls down to all on 33 points.

Narooma ladies golf

AS Easter is coming up fast and our minds busy with all that that entails, I would like to remind you all of the Walter Norris Mixed 4BBB event. It is on Sunday, April 12. This is the first Sunday after Easter so please be sure to line up your partners and get your names down, this is a major event on the Narooma golfers calendar.

Monday, March 23 - Stabledord

Winner Division 1: J Blessington 35 points.

Runner up: L Gibbons 31 points ocb.

Balls to 31.

Wednesday, March 25 - Stableford

Winner Division 1: M Fergus 33 points ocb.

Winner Division 2: M Brooks 34.

NTP: 9th Hole Division 2: R. Cheale, 14th hole Division 1: Nil.

Balls to 30.

9 hole Ladies Golf Competition Stroke/Putt

Winner:  D Johnston 48 net ocb.

Second:  A Hamilton 48 net.

Third:  M Smith 49 net.

Putting:  H Constable 16 putts.

If you would like to play 9 holes of friendly golf call Louise on 4476 5131 or meet outside pro shop 9.15am on Wednesdays.

FSCVGA event at Tuross - March 27

Winner’s ladies

Division 1 Winner: Marie Muriwai, Moruya, 33 points.

Division 1 Runner Up: Pam Alexander, Tuross, 27 points.

Division 2 Winner: Ann Challender, Tuross, 31 points.

Division 2 Runner Up: Judy Apps, Tuross, 29 points.

NTP: 7th hole - Not won.

NTP: 15th hole Karen Thornton, Tathra, 2.58m.

Special NTP 4/13: Kay Murray, Tathra, 1.07m.

Members Draw: Mary Young, Narooma.

Winner’s men

Division 1 Winner: Ian Miller, Tuross, 40 points.

Division 1 Runner Up: Greg Smith, Tuross, 37 points.

Division 2 Winner: Paul Pereira, Tuross, 35 points.

Division 2 Runner Up: Ian Manton, Tuross, 34 points.

Division 3 Winner: Colin Pearson, Tuross, 33 points.

Division 3 Runner Up: Bruce Grimmond, Bermagui, 29 points.

NTP 6th hole: Brad Doolan, Tuross, 1.34m.

NTP 13th hole: Terry Challender, Tuross, 2.63m.

Special NTP 16th: Brad Doolan, Tuross, 0.45m.

Members Draw: Frank Pomfret, Tuross.