Brilliant sunshine and mild winter conditions were the order of the day last week when Yamba Veterans conducted their 20th anniversary Week of Golf. The golf course was prepared and presented in an excellent manner with 226 golfers teeing off on each day of the tournament and 90 clubs represented.
Monday saw a mixed Texas two ball Stableford played in the Yamba Business Houses Day with the winners being Peter and Shirley Mulligan (Mollymook), returning a very fine 49 points. A smaller competition for men unable to play in the mixed was held, and the winners were Barry Cook and John Knox (Kiama) coming in with 47 points. There was great excitement earlier in the day when Paul Atkins (Wyong) had a hole in one on 12th hole. The presentation of prizes and donated vouchers was held in the club’s auditorium Monday evening.
On Tuesday and Thursday, two 18 hole Stableford games were played to make up a 36 hole Championship event. There were daily first, second and third prizes awarded in three grades with the 36 hole Champions being Ivan Barnes, 78 points (Penguin, Tasmania) and Jan Scobie 69 points on a countback (Branxton). The Stableford scratch winners for the 36 holes were Russell Williams (Leongatha), 51 points and Ann Ridley (Goulburn) with 42 points. Both were won on countbacks.
While the golfers were out on the course on Tuesday morning, a group of 19 non-playing partners were taken on a mystery bus trip. After a look around places of interest in Yamba, the group visited the gallery, garden and studio at Kingstudio, in River Street, Maclean where artists Malcolm King and Julie McKenzie showed their paintings, sculptures and screen printing and spoke about things that influence their work. They were very generous with their time which was appreciated and residents and visitors should make it a priority to visit these interesting and talented artists. The second stop was to Botero for morning tea and the coffee tour. The use of the bus was once again donated by Clarence Community Transport.
On Friday a separate single Stableford was held to contest the NSWVGA Shield, with winners being Graeme Scobie, with 38 points, (Branxton) and Yvonne Bean 35 points (Shelley Beach).
It was a full house on Friday night in the golf club auditorium where an excellent two course meal was served to over 240 guests by chef Greg Syle and his staff and a real test for his new kitchen. The visitors were full of praise. All main trophies were presented by representatives of the major sponsors: Mayor Jim Simmons for the Clarence Valley Council and Barb and Geoff Moore from Palm Lake Resort. The NSWVGA shields were presented by their councillor John Dixon. Other special guests were Ian Vidler, president of the NSWVGA and his wife Lyn; Barry and Dorothy Latham, the first tournament organisers and Jim and Penny Cope who continued Barry’s good work for the next six years.
After six years of organising this tournament, the current committee has decided to make this special one it’s final year. They wish to thank all the wonderful volunteers who have helped both inside the clubhouse and out on the course; the business houses in Yamba for their generous donations and support; the course staff for always making our golf course one we can be proud to showcase; the Yamba Golf and Country Club staff and board for their help and support. The Yamba Veterans Week of Golf has become one of the premier events of the Veterans golf calendar. Our visitors have always been highly impressed by our wonderful town and the Clarence Valley and look forward to coming back year after year. We wish the new committee headed by Greg Starr every success in 2020.
John Daley (tournament director), Lee Daley and Jenny Muir.
