WINTER has arrived with cold and windy conditions early in the week, but still great weather to be playing golf at The Island course at Nambucca Heads.
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Our new course superintendent, Greg Jager and his team, have been giving the greens a double groom during the week - this removes thatch and helps produce healthier grass.
Players have already noticed a smoother ball roll and a bit more speed in the greens on Saturday.
The fields continue to grow for our new Tuesday competition, despite the cold and windy conditions, with 76 players competing in a Medley Single Stableford in two divisions. Scores were somewhat lower that the recent norm, but Edward Beaton (21 handicap), showing his experience, still managed a creditable 37 points to win Division 1 (scratch to 21) from Andrew Johnston (21) with 36 points.
Best score of the day went to Raymond Meehan (33) with 38 points to win Division 2 (22 to 45) from Tony Waugh (25) with 37 points.
Other good scores were carded by Dennis Holland and Michael Broadfoot (Urunga) with 36 points, Brad Nesbitt (Bellingen) and Ben Honeybrook 35, and Andrew Tosio (Urunga), Colin Wormleaton and Patrick Post with 34 points. You needed 30 points on a countback to win a ball, with Colin Easey getting the last one.
Thursday's competition was another Medley Single Stableford with 94 starters playing in three divisions on another cold and windy day - nothing more daunting than standing on the first tee with a chilly southerly in your face!
Ken Marriott (14) and Chris Thorndike (16) battled it out for the honours in Division 1 (scratch to 16) with Ken winning on a countback with 38 points. David Mattacott (19) is starting to get the hang of his driver and scored 41 points to win Division 2 (17 to 23) from Malcolm McGoldrick (22) close behind with 40 points.
Barrie Nicholson (27) took out Division 3 (24 to 45) with 41 points to win from Roy Louis (27) with 40 points. All good scores in the conditions.
Other nice scores were posted by Geoff Rees 37, Colin Wormleaton and Kay McGoldrick 36, Andrew Johnston 34, and Andrew Brooker (Bonville), Peter Bush and a clean-shaven John Hopkins all on 33. You needed 31 points on a countback to win a ball, the last one going to Keith Elphick.
The men's Monthly Medal and Match Play Knockout qualifier was played on Saturday, the Medal sponsored every month by Bushy's Nambucca Local Liquor.
Sunny weather and speedier greens provided a good challenge from the blue plates for the 122 players, and some excellent scores were recorded. Glen Crow (10) was the winner of Division 1 (scratch to 12) with nett 68 followed by Stuart Garvey (12) with 69. Harry McMillan (Coffs Harbour) won the scratch with 71.
Chris Thorndike (16) was well ahead of his rivals in Division 2 (13 to 18) to win with nett 64 from Mark McLaren (14) with 68. Paul Ryan was the scratch winner with 84.
In Division 3 (19 to 45) Barrie Nicholson (27), still on fire from his Thursday win, was five shots ahead of Dennis Ashton (19) to win with nett 65. Brian Ussher took out the scratch with 93.
Other good scores were returned by Ben Honeybrook nett 69, Warren Fuller and Trevor Peck nett 70, and William Mann, Alvin Rapley, Adam Welton and Geoffrey Wilson all on 71. You needed 74 on a countback to win a ball, with Gary Roach scraping home to get the last one.
The draw for the Singles Knockout will be on the noticeboard shortly.
There is plenty of golf on The Island this week with Medley Single Stableford competitions on Thursday and Saturday - The Golden Sands Tavern is this week's featured sponsor. Our Ladies competition continues on Wednesdays, and a 9-hole chook run on Friday afternoons.
Friday June 12 is the next round of the Island Challenge Series sponsored by Kempsey Haval.
See you on The Island.
