Sports

Visitors enjoyed sightseeing around the region

Yamba Veterans Week of Golf

Superb weather and a golf course in excellent condition contributed to the success of the 19th annual Yamba Veterans ‘Week of Golf”. Altogether about 250 visitors were in the town. This comprised of golfers, non-playing partners and friends. Players from 83 different clubs came to contest the week, with 212 hitting off every day. The week began with a registration afternoon on Sunday 12. The main event of the four days was the 36 hole nett, played Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16. Men’s winner was Les Edmonds (Port Kembla) with 71 points and for the ladies, Kathy Byrne (Everglades) came in with 72 points. The Stableford scratch winners were Bill Micallef (Morisset) on 53 and Wendy Gordon (Port Macquarie) with 44. On Monday 13, the week was kicked off with a mixed Canadian foursome to give the players a look at the course. The winners were Nerida and Les Edmonds (Port Kembla) with 72.5. A small group of men who could not be paired with a lady partner also played a Canadian and the winners, Bill Micallef and Joe Crook (Morisset) came in with 72.875. The whole day was sponsored by the local business community who were once again very generous with their support. On Friday 17, the final day of the tournament, an 18 hole Single Stableford was played to contest the NSW Vets Golf Association Shield. The men’s winner was Graham Bell (Hervey Bay) and Jan Alborough (Stawell) took out the event for the ladies. On the Tuesday morning Clarence Community Transport donated a bus to take 20 non-playing partners to visit the Lawrence Museum and the trip was enjoyed by all. Wednesday was a rest day and the visitors were seen out and about shopping, having lunch and generally enjoying the Clarence Valley. The week culminated with a presentation dinner for 224 people, wonderfully catered for by Chef Greg Syles and his staff from the Golf Club’s Steak and Seafire Restaurant. After the presentation of trophies, tournament director John Daley thanked the sponsors, volunteers, course and club staff and his committee for their contribution towards the success of the tournament and wished the visitors safe travel home or to the next event. The dates for the 2019 tournament will be August 12 to 16 and will celebrate twenty years of Yamba Veterans weeks of golf. Lee Daley  
The Clarence Valley Council is on board for the first time as the second major sponsor. The winners were Bill Micallef (Morisset) and Wendy Gordon (Port Macquarie). The 36 hole nett event is the most important of the week.
Image: Contributed