JOHN ‘Macca’ McRae loves a day out at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course but there were murderous scenes and running-for-covers on the 14th and 12th holes.
His tee shot – Macca can put a world of hurt on a ball – was headed for the Plaza but the mangrove gods kicked it right toward the 13th tee. From there, further shots and tree-strikes ensued before an exocet aluminium-denting shot hammered the bench at the back of the 13th tee.
Macca played on, and a moose (a score of 10) was avoided – narrowly.
The occasion was the Nambucca Liquor Monthly Medal on Saturday when Bryce McCarroll (4 handicap) saluted in A Grade with 70 nett on countback from Garry Johnstone (14). Peter Farrell (5) took the gross with 79.
A countback was also needed in B and C grades for the medals. Steve Frost (17) posted 67 nett to head Peter Bush (19) in B grade with Matt Dyer (15) taking the gross on 84.
Rodney Ford (24) saluted in C Grade with 68 ahead of Peter Klem-Goode (27) with Andrew Cuthbertson (23) securing the gross with 92.
Dan Wren banged the putt from afar on 1 for the Ecomist prize and pins were nailed by Ray Guiana on 5, Tiffany Paul on 7, Darrell Flanders on 8 and Stephen McNeill on 15. Peter Thompson walked off the 13th with the Pizza This Pizza That voucher and Rick Heywood pocketed the $70 Pro Pin on the last.
Klem-Goode – who on the golf course has an advantage on his brother Ken limited to a hyphen, a second banger surname and far more handicap to play with – had the best round of the day to cap a stonking week in the Kempsey Toyota medley stableford on Thursday 9 April.
Peter K-G’s 40 points included 11 bogeys and a par on the 14th as he headed home Daniel Phelps (24) in Div 2 who carded 39 after a ragged start.
Jason Lucas (10) won Div 1 with 38 points from runner-up Edward Penrose (16) on 36.
Bruce Mason drained the long putt on 1 and was nearest on 7. Chris Tinson took the pin on 5, Peter Thompson on 8 and Thomas Robbins on 15. John Pyke scooped the $70 Pro Pin on 18 and Peter Miller will eat like a boss with the pizza voucher on 13, courtesy of Steve Ward.
Robyn Dyer (34) loves her golf on The Island and is always thereabouts as she shone with the best nett of the day with 68 to claim Div 3 of the women’s monthly medal on Wednesday 8 April. Dyer’s round included pars on 5, 13 and 18.
Dianne O’Leary (16) swept Div 1 with 70 nett and Judith Boyle (29) took out Div 2.
Pins on 5 went to Henny Oldenhove and Boyle, Jennifer Ainsworth was closest on 13 and Dyer got the $28 Pro Pin on the last but not the birdie putt.
Gross winners were O’Leary, Boyle and Dyer which sounds like a formidable legal firm.
The Mid North Coast Veterans stormed the championship layout on Tuesday 7 April when Stephen McNeill (16) took out Div 1 with 38 points on countback from Urunga’s Martin Tizzard (18).
Michael Tarleton had a stellar 40 points to sweep Div 2 from runner-up Dorrigo RSL’s Geoffrey Sheridan (26) on 38.
Great supporters of the club, Jenny and Andy Johnston sponsored The Island Sunday fourball which was taken out by the Eichorns, Kerrie and Neil, with 44 points.
Pushed into runners-up on countback only were Deidre Fletcher and Tim Kelly.
Pins went to Rhonda Rowe on 5, Kerrie Eichorn on 13 for a gourmet frisbee of choice, and Heather Gray and Geoff Brooks on the last.
Catchya on The Island where the world’s troubles wash away and the only decision you have to make is from the restaurant specials board or just linger on the beer and wine river deck.
By Chris KNIGHT
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