Smaller field but quality golf

FOLLOWING the Ladies Opening Day the previous week, the first competition for the season was a stableford round at the Attamurra course, last Wednesday, kindly sponsored by long serving member Lorraine Stratford.

Despite several members competing in Robe at the Southern Ports Golf Week, the smaller field of 31 ladies produced some keen competition in both divisions.

In Division 1, the long hitting and consistent Mardi Goodes played to her handicap resulting in 36 points taking out first place from another consistent player of late, Heather Barry also with 36 points on a countback.

Goodes had a blistering homeward nine with 22 points.

A countback was also necessary in Division 2 where Yvonne Shirley was the victor from Sue McPherson, both with 33 points.

Shirley and McPherson both had very steady front nines but Shirley finished the stronger on the homeward nine.

Ball winners were Jan Shanahan, Jennette Braun, Deb Fowler, Maxine McGregor and Penne Saffin.

Val Grubb and Mardi Goodes both scored birdies on the 17th while Sharran Waters birdied the 8th and Jan Shanahan had a great birdie on the par four 4th hole.

The pro shot on the 8th hole was claimed by Denise Harvey, while the prizes for the second shot on the 17th were won by Mardi Goodes, Linda Boylan and Rosalie Hunt in A, B and C grades respectively.

The premier event of the year, the Ladies Club Championships started on March 4 with the first qualifying stroke round followed by the second round on March 11.

For those not playing in the championships, there is an option to play a stableford round.

Saturday saw nine diehard golfers take on the course in humid conditions with constant rain making scoring a challenge in the ladies stableford competition.

Di Norman conquered everything and produced a top score of 39 points with two consistent nines including seven three pointers to gain first place followed by the consistent Mardi Goodes with 34 points on a countback from Leanne Hunt who was the only ball winner.

Norman also won the pro shot on the 8th hole while Sharran Waters was nearest the pin on the 16th.

Goodes, Jess Parsons and Helen McIntyre scored birdies on the 15th, 17th and 18th holes respectively.