WHEN you’re accustomed to playing golf in paradise, it’s easy to miss the hues and waft of roses, even the tug of the beauty and beast that is the Nambucca River.
Yet 25 players must surely have soaked in the surrounds which visitors rave about as they formed the first competitive field at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course post-flood.
The front nine re-opened to competitive play on Saturday, 14 June, and the mood was one of opportunity rather than a chase for prizes.
It was a chance to stroll the couch fairways, stalk the bent greens which are the envy of many – and take a sneaky peak at the back nine as it emerges from the cloaking silt.
For the record, Dennis Ashton had the best score of the day with 41 points to win Div 2 of the medley stableford where punters played the front nine twice.
The 22-marker carded seven pars in a hat-tip to a player who when he’s on – he’s on.
Runner-up in Div 2 was Paul McElhinney (25 handicap) on 34 points.
Deidre Fletcher (14) had 82 off the stick for 36 points to salute in Div 1 on countback from Peter Bush (17).
Henny Oldenhove (17), Daniel Wassens (14) and Bryan Ussher (27) headed the ball run with 34 points and the last to collect was Murray Ingram (11) on 31.
Trophy botherer Scott Burley jagged the Ecomist longest putt on the first, while Paddy Byrne took the nearest the pin on 7, Geoff Brooks on 8 and Matt Dyer pocketed a healthy $55 for the Pro Pin.
Meanwhile, it will be a big week for The Island’s recently well travelled Junior Champion (Sm)Ashton Herbert as he heads to Dubbo this weekend for the NSW All Schools Golf Championships .
The 17-year-old goes into the tournament with hopes, dreams and no pressure as he is one of the longest markers in a field peppered with plus-handicap annoying young people.
Catchya on The Island – the river grabbed us all, but we’re back, baby.
By Chris KNIGHT
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