It was the first day of competition for Women’s Golf Nowra in 2021 and 32 players were welcomed by a beautiful summer morning and a very beautifully presented golf course. The enthusiasm in the air was palpable as the players gathered for an early shot gun start.

The recent rain has ensured very vigorous growth on the fairways and surrounds and the course was a hive of activity with Louie and his band busily working away to keep everything shipshape. Everyone was very happy to see that some of their most unfavourite bunkers, namely the 4th, 2nd and left hand side 13th, are being filled in ready to be turfed. The course however played quite hard today with very little run, thick rough and greens that were deceivingly fast and tricky.

As is always the case, some players found it harder than others and the break over the holiday period tested match fitness on the first game for the new year.   Some were relieved to find a return to form and the successful scores were all within the same vicinity. With a change in the handicap ranges for the three divisions this year it became a challenge for a few players who found they were playing up in a higher division.

In Division 1, Lyn Hatchman showed no loss of her good form to tidy up and claim the top spot with 34 points. Hot on her heels, and making a comeback in this division, Robyn Moore started off the year well with 33 points in the  runner’s up position.

Val Wilson was another player who found that the Christmas break was to her advantage and she scored well with 30 points to win the division 2 prize. Anne Newton also made a steady comeback to score 29 points and claim the second spot.

Leanne Robson blitzed it today and put in an interesting and varied round pencilling up 26 p0ints on the front nine and eight on the back. That added up to 34 points and was all she needed for the victory in Division 3. Lucky that it didn’t go to a countback! Kirsten put in a strong performance to score 32 points and claim the runner’s up trophy.

Nearest to the Pins

4th – Division 1: Sue Hunter; Division 2: Val Wilson; Division 3: Jean Mitzimberg

12th – Division 1: Jill Levi; Division 2: Fay Wright; Division 3: not awarded.

Ball Competition

31 Points – Angela Boadle, Patricia Austin, Donna Hewat, Linda Trusler

30 Points – Cathy Ison, Margaret Ford

29 Points – Gloria Davis

28 Points – Jean Mitzimberg