WEREWOLF-decibel howling winds made for some of the toughest golf conditions in the first round of the Midcoast Trucks Island Classic at Nambucca Heads.
The Big Blow dictated a true test of skill, resilience, and course management on Saturday, 30 August.
Calmer skies for the final 18 the next day saw the survivors produce some excellent scoring.
In the overall off-scratch category, Sawtell’s Max Neal (+1.9 handicap) handled the elements with poise, carding an overall score of 73 points for the W.
Hot on the lanky lefty’s heels was Glen Baker (+2.1), whose excellent 66 earned him the silver gong. Neal and Baker demonstrated the quality of golf that can shine through even in the wildest of weather.
Division 1 saw a tightly fought scrap across the two days.
Local Graham Watson (4.3) emerged as the 36-hole winner with 68 points, his consistency proving vital. Peter Sheridan (9.1) shadowed closely with 67 points, with Allan O’Brien (11.6) third on 63.
On the tortuous Saturday, Anthony Connors (5.7) held firm to post 30 points and secure the honours on countback from Darrell Flanders (11.4).
Daniel Wren (9.1) and Ken Klem (8.4) took advantage of Sunday’s serenity, with 32 points to claim the winner and runner-up prizes respectively.
Division 2 saw some standout results. Dylan Baker (16.8) showed great composure across both rounds to post 71 points and take out the 36-hole prize. Ben Williams (13.7) claimed runner-up with 68, with Philip Woodgate (18.8) third on 65.
On the Saturday, Paul Ryan (13.7) managed the testing conditions better than most, his 34 points enough to claim the daily prize ahead of Phillip Frost (13.9) on 32. Sunday saw a swing in fortunes, with Geoff Harris (17.8) posting a spanking 38 points to secure victory, from Jason Snell (17.8) on 37.
Division 3 was one of the most competitive of the weekend. Elijah Cooper (25.1) showed maturity beyond his years, producing two solid rounds to claim the 36-hole title with 65 points.
He edged Kai Baker (22.8), who also finished on 65 but was dusted on countback. Andrew Bagust (23.2) rounded out the placings with 62 points.
The daily honours were equally hard fought. Kevin Anderson (34.4) took the cherries on Saturday with 31 points ahead of Paddy Byrne (21.3) on 30. Sunday saw John Buganey (22.5) post 35 points for the win from David Ayre (23.0) on 34.
On Saturday, the pins went to Paul Ryan on 5, Peter Farrell on 7, Darrell Flanders on 8, Bruce Mason on 13, Andrew Cuthbertson on 15 and Jon Izzard on 18. On Sunday, Dylan Mann was closest on 5, Max Neal on 7 and 8, Peter Scott on 13, Peter Sheridan on 15 and DJ Button on 18.
In the women’s off-scratch division, Sue Brooks (10.9) rose to the occasion with 38 points as overall winner. That score was matched by Deidre Fletcher (8.9), but not on countback.
The overall stableford title went to Chloe Baker (18.7), whose steady play across both days earned her 62 points. Kay McGoldrick (27.4) was next best with 60, from Lisa Guest (15.3) on countback.
In the daily prizes, Tiffany Paul (15.4) and Henny Oldenhove (13.2) shared the top placings with 32 points apiece on the Saturday, while Sunday’s winners were Heather Gray (19.8) and Dianne O’Leary (12.9), with matching scores of 32.
Saturday pins went to Sue Brooks on 5, Di O’Leary on 7, Kay McGoldrick on 8, Tiffany Paul on 13, and Lisa Guest on 15 and 18. On Sunday, O’Leary secured the pin on 7, Maxine Townsend on 8, and Henny Oldenhove on 18.
An enormous thank you to Midcoast Trucks for their continued sponsorship of the Island Classic, as without the club’s big sponsors, premier events like this wouldn’t happen.
It was sun’s out, guns out at The Island for the Dolphin Day medley stableford on Wednesday, 27 August.
Peter Thompson (14) would have made his namesake – the late great Australian professional – proud with a stellar 78 off the bat for 41 points.
Thompson rushed to the chequered flag like Homer Simpson at an all-you-can eat buffet, with one under par through the final seven holes.
Mr Humphries, are you free … measure up, Thompson, mind the inner leg, for a Dolphin Day shirt.
Ashton Herbert (1) carded an excellent 69 off the stick, including five birds on a front-nine rampage, for 37 points and the Div 1 win.
Runner-up was Ken Klem (6) on 36.
Trevor Peck (21) was divine with 38 points to sweep Div 2 from Philip Woodgate (17) on 35.
Robert Battaglini (24) snuck home on countback with 36 points to edge Graham Bysouth (28).
Steve Doherty dunked the putt from afar on the 1st for the Ecomist voucher. Pins went to Klem on 5, Debra Gersbach on 7, Gary Beggs on 8 and Thomas Wattison on 15. Geoff McCann was hungry and needy all at once – scoring the Pizza This Pizza That voucher on 13 and the $90 Pro Pin on the last.
Meanwhile, The Island welcomed 140 players (50 years or even better) travelling from as far afield as Bargara, Qld, in the north, to Leongatha, Mexico, to the south, and out west to Manilla for the annual Veterans Week of Golf.
This annual event has coincided with monsoons in recent times, so it was with greatest relief that the course was more than presentable for the tournament.
The Monday, 25 August, opener was a Medley Irish Team Stableford won by John Peat (Yamba), Marion Coy, Ron Peat and Louise Cole (Sanctuary Cove).
The serious stuff was a 36-hole stableford on the Tuesday and Thursday for the NSW Veterans’ Golf Association Shield with the Ian Vidler Memorial Trophy in conjunction.
Men’s winner was Robert Whitehill (Gosford) on 74 points from Trevor Stivey (Coolangatta-Tweed) with 71. The women’s winner was Susan Ainsley (Wyong) with 70 points on countback from Marion Coy.
Scratch winners were Russell Williams (Leongatha) 61, and Bronwyn Smith (Cumberland) 43.
Friendship and flaying wound up on the Friday with a Medley Canadian Foursome won by Gary and Karen Turner from Manilla with 66.75 on countback from Steven James and Elizabeth Lloyd-James from Kew and Port Macquarie.
Russell Williams played the shot of the tournament, a hole-in-one on the 13th. The excitement led to a rookie error, instead of bagging the ball for mounting, he sent it hard from the next tee, last seen (and never to be again) toward the Plaza.
Catchya on The Island, where the bunnies have been busy or more likely the greens have been cored as we roll into spring with a hop in our step.
Ashton Herbert, NHIGC