EVERY player at The Island Golf Course on Thursday enjoyed a day in which the men bid Steve Barnes a farewell after some 14 years as the face of golf at the club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Steve along with the V Wall Tavern sponsored the day with 99 starters turning out and many more arriving for the presentation. Greg Smith showed out to win the Dolphin Day shirt with a round of 39 points in the stableford. Smithy would not like his chances playing off a nine handicap but held on to take the prize.
Phil Mander (11 handicap), was just the one point behind with 38 as was Paul Ryan (11). In B grade Warren Fuller (16) carded a 38 also, taking the countback from Peter Moxon (16). Peter seems to be getting better with age.
In C grade a rare show of form for Kerry McCoy (24) saw another 38 as did Dale Hanson (25), who missed out in the countback. Others to count themselves unlucky with 38 points were Bruce Berry, Michael Lee and Garry Roach, all falling short in the back nine.
Carding good scores also were Garnet O’Brien, Michael Tarleton, Richard Dube and Uri Ylinen, with 37 points. Balls in the rundown went to 34 with Peter Dawe, John Walker, and John Slade to collect.
Pins for the day went to Jason Belt, Peter Dawe the 5th, Peter Delaney the 7th, Bruce Berry at 8, Noel Gaddes the pizza hole, Peter Miller at 15, and like a thief in the night John (Patto) Patterson stole the money shot after his tee shot hit a rock on the path and finished up next to the hole.
While saying goodbye to Steve this writer had the privilege of playing with the club’s new face at the pro shop, Paul Habgood and daughter Darcy, both very good golfers who will no doubt carry on the great work as starters and shop managers. The shop will be a family affair when all the family arrive and take part in this new venture.
Saturday was the monthly medal stroke round sponsored by Nambucca Local Liquor. A grade was taken out by Garnet O’Brien (8) with a round of 74 off the stick for a 66 nett. Stu Johnston (8) had a nett 67, followed by Bruce Berry taking the gross with a round of 76. Following his good form on Thursday, Peter Moxon (15) put together an 84/69 to collect the voucher from sponsor Peter Bush (16) an 87/71, edging out Trevor Peter in a countback.
After a score of 66 nett, Dennis Ashton can say goodbye to C grade and his 19 handicap as will Trevor Peck (20) who recorded a 67 for the runner-up spot. Taking the gross was Lyall Gregory with a 92.
Island Sunday proved good for all 54 players, and especially two of the newest board members, in Rodney Robertson and Linne Street, who combined to win the day with a 4BBB score of 47 point after ‘Robbo’ chipped in three times.
Paul and Gwen Maxwell took out the runners-up spot with 46 points while Betty Stockham and Geoff Wilson took third place in a countback from Warren and Lynda Fuller. Following on was Susan Barnett and Darren Key with a 44 while well in the mix were Wendy Johnston and John Nichols 43.
Thank you to Geoff and Coral McCann along with Deidre Byrne who sponsored the day bringing along Christmas cheer for all to enjoy afterwards in the form of Christmas dinner. All present received a gift from Santa's helpers just to finish off the day.