Miles James, Clarence Valley Independent
Grade B Grade Maclean golf on Saturday, David Lorenzo showed his steady progress with a very good forty points take second place by just one shot from another improver Geoff Willis. Neither of these consistent scoring golfers could be prepared for the hurricane behind them.
After a steady 17 points on the first nine holes and a no score on the tenth, Tracy Johnson breezed through the final eight holes scoring a nett birdie 3 points on every hole.
Her 41 points was the score of the day and continues her striking improvements.
In A Grade, Leigh Barrington (with consistent play) won with 39 points, two clear of Andrew Radcliffe.
Club ball prizes went down to a further nineteen players getting 33 points or better.
NTP’s: 2nd hole – Jonah Menzies, 7th – John Weber from Coffs Harbour; 11th – Andrew Radcliffe (that’s two in one week); 17th – Geoff Grayson.
Thistle hole to Rowan Butcher from Grafton.
A rigorous top dressing and clearing of greens on Monday should eventuate in much better putting conditions later this week, and a return to their pristine best in a week or so.
Midweek Stableford
Heat, wind and cored greens did nothing to deter the determined Thursday golfers, down to a field of thirty eight the diehards who struggled round and at times must have wondered why.
But, a very good score of 38 points was good enough for Ross Allomes to be four shots clear in A Grade. Adam Paton on 34 was second. Bob Harvey on 33 just missed out on major prize, with any score of thirty points and above an achievement.
In B Grade, Shane McLeay’s 37 points was a top score but only just on c/b from Wayne Nunn in second and William Woodham just missing out on the same score.
John Fong Kee underlined his recent form surge with nearest the pin on 2. Bob Harvey fired close on 7 and Jonah was easily the closest on 11.
On the 17th, Andrew Ratcliffe made his birdie putt a formality and Rod Smith managed to avoid any short game nerves by putting his second shot on the ninth very close to take the Thistle.
Club ball prizes down to 33 in both grades.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 17 November 2021.
