WHO would have thought that we would be playing golf at The Island Golf Course at Nambucca Heads on Saturday, after the deluge we copped during the past week.
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Our course superintendent, Greg Jager, advised us on Thursday that the layout had recorded 483mm, with two large dumps of 165mm and 170mm. The course was under water for two days, and the causeway was impassable on numerous occasions.
However, minimal damage occurred, and thanks to a small army of volunteers who cleared away the considerable flotsam, and the relentless effort from Greg and his team, we were open for business on Saturday.
It was amazing how well the course and paths had dried out, no doubt due to the concentrated effort that has gone into clearing and maintaining the course drainage system.
Greg's team was able to get a double-cut on the greens on Thursday, and the surrounds on Friday.
Saturday was the annual Ham and Turkey Day sponsored by Greg McCoy - a 4BBB Stableford, with 68 starters.
We had preferred lies through the green to compensate for the uncut fairways and rough - a huge catch-up task for the coming week!
There were some surprisingly good scores, despite the heavier than usual going. Anthony Smith was a 'swinger' with Trent Baade, and they combined to produce the winning score of 48 points to claim a Christmas Ham each.
Runners-up with 46 points were Robert Reid and Aaron Loughland, and they get a very large and heavy Turkey each. Many thanks to Greg McCoy for his sponsorship.
Other good scores were carded by Peter Davies (Belmont) and Peter Lofberg (Toukley), Graham Watson and Houston (Ray) Baker, and Dianne O'Leary and Denise Paluch all with 45 points. The ball comp went down to 42 points on countback.
Nearest the pins went to B Frost on the 5th, Warren Fuller 327cm on 7, Ian Smith 3m on 8, Roy Baker 4.3m on the pizza 13th, D Wilson 126cm on Stu's 15th and Rob Reid took out the Pro Pin on 18 with 105cm.
It was indeed a privilege to be able to be allowed the use of golf carts - a big thank you to all for abiding by the directions put in place to preserve the course.
This week's golf weather permitting will see Medley Single Stableford events on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Ladies will play a nine hole Single Stableford Summer Competition on Wednesday.
The club and course will be closed on Friday, Christmas Day.
See you on the Island.
