Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club

SCORES of near 40 seemingly matched the ‘feels-like’ temperature at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course on Saturday.

Tim Kinnear carded 39 points in the Nambucca News medley stableford on 24 January, but even that wasn’t enough to guarantee a stress-free ride in Div 1.

The 13-handicapper Titaniced the 9th with a triple bogey before an excellent two over par 36 round the back – just enough to beat Deidre Fletcher (11 handicap) on a countback.

In Div 2 Scott Burley (15) had 36 points for the W from runner-up Di O’Leary on 35.

Jennifer Johnston (31) equalled the best return of the day with 39 points including pars on 8, 13 and 15 to head home Ross Morpuss (24) by a point in Div 3.

The pins were shared democratically. Warren Fuller honed in for the Ecomist longest putt on the 1st, while Heather Gray was nearest on 5, Keith Elphick on 7, Dan Wren on 8 and Craig Haworth on 15. Charlestown’s Evan Burgess will have to scout a return trip from Newie for the Pizza This Pizza That voucher on 13 while Troy Herbert had an enjoyable round heading home sons Ashton and Maddox and collecting the $90 Pro Pin on the last.

Wantima Golf Club’s Jake Waugh (16) sizzled with 41 points to win the Nambucca News medley stableford on Thursday, 22 January. Deidre Fletcher was again runner-up in Div 1, with 37.

Malcolm McGoldrick (25) had 36 points for the salute in Div 2 in a nail-biting countback from Don Wills (33).

Head greenkeeper Greg Jager had inside knowledge and the skill to get the pins on 7 and 8, with Paul Ryan closest on 5, and Darrell Flanders on 15. Club champion Graham Watson walked off the 18th with the Pro Pin, Stephen McNeil will enjoy a gourmet frisbee after his shot on 13 and Col Wormleaton nailed the putt from afar on 1 for a stubby holder and beverage for the receptacle.

Deidre Fletcher’s big week out on The Island saw a thumping 41 points and the victory in the women’s single stableford on Wednesday, 21 January.

Fletcher had 77 off the stick and birds on 7 and 15 for the Div 1 glory.

Jennifer Ainsworth (35) was too good in Div 2, posting a stellar 39 points in a round which included a sneaky bird on 13.

Pins went to Sue Brooks and Robyn Dyer on 5, Ainsworth on 13 and Georgina Riddington banked the $28 Pro Pin on the last.

Craig Riddington (27) was first out of the blocks with a whopper for the week, returning 40 points to win the Nambucca News medley stableford on Tuesday, 20 January.

The long-marker was incredibly only eight over par for the final 11 holes – and simply onsong to finish two clear of Toukley’s Mark Donsworth (16) and Bruce Fleming (28) who carded handy 38-pointers.

The Mid North Coast men’s pennants competition kicks off on Sunday and Nambucca has four teams in the mix – more than ever in recent memory. They will be skippered by Ashton Herbert (Div 2), Steve Doherty and Ray Guiana (Div 3) and the mercurial Stuart Hughes (Div 4 and the defending champions).

Catchya on one of the best championship courses on the North Coast where The Island Restaurant on the back of great food and superb views has had a bumper summer and naming rights have come up for the coveted Dolphin Day series (call the club for details on super affordable year-round exposure for your business).

By Chris KNIGHT