At the club the week began with a board meeting of note, with representations and considerations on a raft of matters to do with the Bridge Over Little Lake (BOLL) at the 8th hole. The president, Geoff Lanham, will be issuing a letter on behalf of the board, clarifying a number of issues and it may well be on noticeboards and on the Internet at naroomagolf.com.au by the time you pick up the paper. Isn't it a shame when it takes over six months to resolve certain matters, especially when it is, in my humble opinion, public open space and a recreation area used by all sorts of citizens? I will have to leave my independent comments right there, but look forward to giving you a detailed analysis later.

Weather wise Monday was a pleasant 19 degrees, however, I had a bug and was not a happy or healthy chappy. Forecasts suggested the week would warm up, as it did, with the odd light shower. The 12 holers on Tuesday enjoyed a crisp, cool morning with a light westerly. Wednesday was a similar sunny day and I was already looking forward to my first game at Narooma in over a fortnight until I was informed that an insurance assessor was coming to inspect our damaged property around 11am on Thursday. Plan B saw me take other priorities.

Thursday' Stableford Competition

A lovely autumn day for golf and just on 114 players took part. In A grade Brendan Warby had another win with 37 points beating Bill Durnan and Paul Stokes on a count back. It was to be a day of multiple count backs in all grades, something that doesn't happen that often. Gordon Roberts won B grade with a fine 40 points, on a count back from Wayne Houston. So too C grade's winner was Rob Gordon on a count back from Bruce Day on 40 points. Third placed winners in B and C grades also won a count backs.

Among the nearest the pins I noted where Phil Haynes won the golden hole at the 14th and did it again at the 17th. A quinella that became a trifecta on Saturday, as you will note Phil also scored another nearest the pin at the 3rd hole. How about that for accuracy on the par threes.

Friday, May 1, was a fine day with another late shower. So far this year we have had 361mms of rain, 10 mms more than the corresponding period last year. Augurs well for the rest of the year and especially for the course just a month or so from the 2015 Seahorse Classic at Narooma over the June long weekend.

Saturday, Round 1, Men's Club Championships

Early morning it was a bit dark overhead and a light shower and sea breeze made for damp conditions and favoured the big hitters. The Oyster Festival crew would have been happy, as I was, to see the sun come out and reach 22 degrees with a little or no wind. It was a gorgeous afternoon for outdoor fun and games.

The course looked superb, beautifully presented, damp in spots and some greens in transition. No run on the fairways, challenging pin positions and as a result, great for anyone good enough.

Scott Ker had the best net in A grade with a score of 70, just one stroke ahead of Chris Brown, with Jordan Lang a further shot behind.  This is shaping up as a great tussle between three of the top golfers in the club.

Allan Maddison had a net 69 to lead B grade by three shots from my playing partner Les Campbell and William MacNaught two shots further behind. Bob Upton had a net 70 to be the B grade winner and he leads by two from Bernie Krueger and Lionel Field another shot behind.

In the Ladies Grade, Marea Clarke had a net 78 to win. By the way Clive Williamson had an eagle at the par 4, 8th hole. Well done to all of you.

Storm stories

I would like to finish this week's article with a couple of storm stories associated with the horrific hailstorm that hit our village of Potato Point late on Anzac Day afternoon. My brother in law, David Payne, sent an email to me in Sydney, where I was dodging a similar storm, saying "Bill, your garden looks like there has been a golf competition at your place, however, no one has repaired their pitch marks.” Ho ho.

Phil Bradley from Tuross Head, said while playing two up at the Country Club, their schooner glasses were blown off the tables. Serious damage has occurred to nearly every property and / or cars, boats, surfboards, caravans parked outdoors, garden items et cetera. It is an ill wind that blows no good and this storm certainly has a silver lining as the insurance work to follow and the amount of it going to local businesses is certainly a winner of sorts for many.

Regards and good health, Bill Baker

Thursday, April 30 - Men’s Stableford

A Grade: Winner, Brendan Warby 37 points c/b. Runner-up, Bill Durnan 37 points c/b. Third, Paul Stokes 37 points c/b.

B Grade: Winner, Gordon Roberts 40 points c/b. Runner-up, Wayne Houston 40 points. Third, Colin Pratt 39 points.

C Grade: Winner, Rob Gordon 40 points c/b. Runner-up, Bruce Day 40 points. Third, Dennis Fry 39 points.

Nearest to pin: 3rd Colin Pratt, 9th Laurie Holmes, 14th Phil Haynes, 17th Phil Haynes.

Golf balls down to all on 33 points.

Friday, May 1 - 9 Hole Stableford

Winner, Tony Dellamarta 16 points.

Nearest to pin: 3rd Nil, 17th Nil.

DPP 17th J John.

Golf balls down to lucky N Ryan on 10 points.

Saturday, May 2 - Round 1 Club Championships Stroke

A Grade: Winner, Scott Ker 70 net. Runner-up, Chris Brown 71 net. Third, Jordan Lang 72 net.

B Grade: Winner, Allan Maddison 69 net. Runner-up, Les Campbell 72 net. Third, William MacNaught 74 net.

C Grade: Winner, Bob Upton 70 net. Runner-up, Bernie Krueger 72 net. Third, Lionel Field 73 net.

Ladies Grade: Winner, Marea Clarke 78 net.

Nearest to pin: 3rd Phil Haynes, 9th Mitch Jeffery, 14th Rod Shepherd, 17th Neil Towers.

Eagles Nest: Clive Williamson 8th Hole 2 balls.

Golf balls down to all on 77 net.

VAL Spooner and Annette Burke were presented by acting lady president Loraine Gibbons with their NSW Ladies Veterans 80 year badge.

A beautiful Black Forest Cake was made by Rhonda Walters which was enjoyed by all the ladies who joined in the celebration.

Eighty is the new 60 at Narooma Ladies Golf as we have quite a number of our ladies who are fit and active members and into their eighties. Just shows, golf must be good for you, so any ladies interested do contact the club and come along and join in the fun.

Monday, April 27 - Stableford

Winner: D. Wilkes 37 points.

Balls to 32.

Wednesday, April 29 - Stableford

Winner Division 1: B Wilson 38 points. Runner Up: D Wilkes 34 ocb.

Winner Division 2: M Brooks 33 points. Runner Up: M Clarke 31ocb.

NTP: 9th Hole Division 2: P Leonard. 14th hole Division 1: K Lawrence.

Balls to 32.