THE ISLAND Golf Club hosted by far its most important competition of the year to date on Sunday – a regional qualifier for the NSW Open.
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With just the one spot up for the taking, golfers from all over the State entered.
Also up for grabs were two positions in the NSW Seniors tournament played later in the year for the best players over 50 years, where they will get an opportunity to participate in the Seniors Open. As a sweetener, the best nett score was given the opportunity to take a couple of mates along to the Pro Am preceding the NSW Open. So the stakes were high and the rewards were few, yet large.
Winner of the major prize was Tom Bateman from the Long Reef club on Sydney’s northern beaches with a round of 67 gross. Mark Hale (Mudgee) with a handicap of +2 had a round of 68/70. Jay Mackenzie (Ballina) handicap +4 had a 68/72 and he along with Jaydan Taylor (Bellingen) with a 70/69 were the best from a field of 85 players.
Winners of the seniors was Robert Martin Lakelands club on the Gold Coast, a 75 gross playing off a handicap of 1. joining Robert will be Greg Harvison (Grafton District) handicap +1, a 75/76. Missing in the countback was Terry Davis (Port Macquarie), 3 handicap, who carded a 75 gross.
Picking up the Pro Am prize was David Rook (Coffs), with a nett 69 playing off a 2 handicap.
Nearest the pins went to Sam Matheson (Warringah) at 5, Tim McCarthy (Moree) the 8th, Robert Martin (Lakelands) the 15th, and David Rook at 18. Ball rundown went to 75 nett with five players to collect and they are Greg McCoy, Michael Ticli (Coffs), Cameron Pollard (Sawtell), Neil Coogan (Coffs) and Trent Fortescue Lynwood. Couple of eagles on the day, both at the 17th: Dylan Gardner (Pelican Waters) and Thomas Schmid (Cronulla).
Thanks to Golf NSW for giving the club the chance to hold the event along with sponsors Quarry Solutions, Motel Miramar, and help ffrom Nambucca Shire Council.
Waking up to rain on Thursday helped turned away half the field booked to play with just 45 turning out, though enough for two divisions. Andrew Johnston (17 handicap) took out first place in division 1 with a score of 37 points. Jack Pountney (Moore Park) was runner-up with 35 points playing off plus 2. Best in division 2 were Shane Anderson (29) 39 points from Mark Nugent (19) 38 points.
Pins went to Bruce Berry, Peter Miller, Mark Nugent, Mark McFaul, Les Mohr, Drew Glasson and Roy Sims took out the money shot. Ball rundown went to 32 with five to collect: Daniel Swain (Coffs), Bernie Dugdale, Geoff McCann, Greg McCoy and Phil Mander.
On Saturday a field of 107 hit off in a medley single stableford event sponsored by the three Geoffs – McCann, Miller and Rees.
Winner in A grade was Trevor Tyran ((Wyong) with 36 points. Drew Glasson was runner-up with 35 points and the second runner-up was Kreolin Moodey (Fox Hills), 32 points. For B grade Allen Rutter (Coffs) had a round of 36, from Warren Fuller 35 points in a countback from Peter Morriss.
In C grade Col Dunne (25) found his form with a round of 42. Scott Burley (22) was next with 37 with Andrew Mackinnon (21) 36 points rounding out the placings.
Due to a good sponsorship nearest the pins in all grades where given out and they went to Blade Gadd (Concord) A, Warren Fuller B, Les Mohr C, Les having to score an eagle on the hole to get his win at the 3rd. At the 5th Harvey Remfrey A, Mark Nugent B, Peter Watson C. At the 7th Steve Donnelly (Lynwood) A, Peter Morriss B, Phillip Price (Coffs) C. The 8th Col Wormleaton A, Warren Fuller B, John Patterson C, the 15th Blade Gadd A, Warren Fuller B, Phil Price C, at the 18th Greg McCoy A, Rob Coneybeare B, Roy Louis C with Greg McCoy taking the money shot.
Straight drives went to Glen Crow A, Phil Frost B, Col Edmonds C. Longest drives won by Jay Mackenzie A, Cody Saunders (South West Rocks) B and Peter Watson C. Best front nine was taken out by Cody Sanders with 21 points and the back nine went to Michael Nugent also 21 points. Ball rundown went to 31 with Peter Bush, Geoff Poole, Darcy Habgood, Barrie Nicholson and Keith Elphick all to collect.