SMILING assassin Kenny Klem has drifted to a nine handicap like a grandpa to a cosy recliner after Christmas lunch – only to bare his wolf teeth in the monthly medal at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club’s Monthly Medal.
Birdies on the hard to get at short pin on 12 and the 17th saw him post 77 off the stick to win the A Grade medal on Saturday in a stroke round presented by Nambucca Liquor.
Klem’s 68 nett saw him squeak home on countback from Stuart Johnston (11) – another whose handicap has crept up disconcertingly so given his sweet swing.
In-form Michael Jolly (5) carded 76 to take the gross.
Breakers Golf Club’s Matthew Rosee sealed the deal with 69 nett for the B Grade medal, two clear of runner-up Paul Ryan (14), with Garry Johnstone (14) claiming the gross on 85.
It was a battle of the 27-markers in C Grade, with Heath McKenna besting Gregory Lucas on a countback with 70 nett. Dave Bartos (20) nailed the gross with 92.
Pleasing to see Peter Scott back on hallowed turf after his “first holiday in 20 years”, as he drove to Tasmania (with ferry assistance) under the directions of Siri via his better half. Stroke rounds can be cruel, and Scott’s par on the 10th was rudely followed by repeated tree-strikes and a moose on the par 5 11th.
Thomas Wattison started the day brightly with the Ecomist longest putt prize on the 1st and pins went to Adrienne Smith on 5, Murray Ingram on 7, Jolly on 8 and Drew Glasson on 15. Ben Venner can salivate after scoring the Pizza This Pizza That voucher on 13 and Lucas capped a beaut outing with the nearest on the last.
Venner inflicted mortal damage to his 26 handicap after shooting the lights out for 45 points in the Nambucca Heads Butchery medley stableford on Thursday 5 March.
The C-grader stunned with six pars and a bird on the dangerous 6th for the best score of the day and the win in Div 2.
Warwick Singleton (33) was runner-up with a far more sensible 36 points.
Bryce McCarroll (5) saluted in Div 1 with 39 points in a magic round that included birds on 5, 7 and 17.
One back was Greg McCoy (4) who had an ever-tidy 71 off the stick.
Ken Marriott binned a putt lengthy on 1 and pins went to McCarroll on 5, Tristram Edwards on 7, Graham Watson on 8 and Venner on 15. Edward Penrose sliced and diced the pizza on 13 and Darrell Flanders banked the $75 Pro Pin on the last.
Dianne O’Leary (18) smashed with 40 points to sweep Div 1 of the women’s single stableford and Top 10 qualifier on Wednesday 4 March.
O’Leary was on fire from the get-go, with birds on 1, 7 and 10 – for 84 off the bat.
Thea Kimber (25) secured second place with 35 points.
Lyn Parkes (32) had nine bogeys on her way to 38 points for the Div 2 victory from runner-up Lillian Lukins (33) on 36.
Flag-botherers were Rhonda Rowe on 5, Kay McGoldrick on 13 and Kerrie Jackson skipped off the 18th green with the $36 Pro Pin.
The Mid North Coast Veterans commandeered The Island on Tuesday 3 March for the Nambucca Heads Butchery medley stableford.
Nev Newman (8) had 37 points to win Div 1 from Nick Jenkins (15) on 36 and Wendy Johnstone (13) on 35.
Urpo Ylinen (21) carded 36 points to salute in Div 2 on a countback from Steven Robinson (19). Martin Tizzard (18) was third with 35 points.
Desmond Hoy (32) secured Div 3 bragging rights with 38 points, one clear of runner-up Eric Wise (36) and the third-placed David Salvin (25).
Pins went to Tizzard on 5, David Nicholls on 8, Geoff Goesch on 13 and Colin Hoskins on 18.
Geoff and Coral McCann sponsored the Island Sunday event on 8 March when Daryl and Cindy Wall hit berserker mode for 54 points in a fourball best ball. Let that sink in. That’s an average of three points per hole!
Sue and Geoff Brookes were next best with 46.
Thea Kimber and Daryl Wall took the pins on 5, and Geoff McCann and Sue Brooks scribbled their names on the 18th paperwork. Michael Ziebell has a frisbee to collect or eat-in at the top of town on High St after zipping it close on 13.
Catchya on The Island where moments and memories are made – great food, ice cold drinks and the views from the river deck beer garden are quite simply unmatched.
By Chris KNIGHT
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