Nelson Bay Tour
The 2023 Nelson Bay tour is done and dusted for another year.
The touring party started the week at the beautiful Maitland Golf Course.
Smooth fairways and fast true greens provided great scores for some and let others wondering what the rest of the week would bring.
Winner of the day on a countback was Chris “ Bad Grand Pa” Moffatt with 40 points.
Second Jim Henry and in a close third Ian Rutherford with 37 points
Last was shared between Graeme Wright and Peter Martin (22)
Day 2, and we all set out for Horizons.
Again, the scoring was hot and the ultimate winner was Greg Thompson with a magnificent 40 points on a long and difficult track.
Second on a countback Nick “Banana Man” Lulham on 39 points, Gary “John West” Sammons in third.
The Bradman award was collected by Garry Buggy (18) and second last was Paul Haime (Everglades)
Wednesday was a rest day for all but 13 brave souls who made their way to Hawks Nest.
The other members of the touring party set out for Shoal Bay for a day at the races.
Hawks Nest was in the most glorious condition you can ever find a golf course. From tee to green a delight for any golfer.
None of the players topped the locals but a great time was had by all.
As usual the boat trip was one of the highlights of the day.
Thanks to Greg “Bluey” Thompson for taking all the golf bags to the ferry.
Horizons was visited for a second time, on Thursday, and again the race for first place was a hot affair.
After a gruelling 18 holes in tropical conditions with stiff breeze blowing, Greg Thompson was the victor with a superb 41 points, second Eddie Rogers with 37 and Paul Haime, Ian Rutherford, and Jim Henry on 35 points..
Jim “The Lumberjack” Henry took third on a countback.
The highlight of the day was a hole in one by Paul Buffey.
The shot he produced on the 6th was described as one of the most majestic in the history of amateur golf.
Unfortunately, no one saw the ball go in the hole, however Graeme Wright declared it on the tee.
It was said to be better than the hole in one by Garry “Judge Judy” Buggy a few years ago.
The matter was debated till deep in the night over a few bottles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape..
On the last day we travelled to Muree Golf Club at Raymond Terrace.
All players were brimming with anticipation on what the course would bring.
Most of us “Gosford Boys” are used to greens with true speed suited to our age.
Putting on glass challenged most of us and it was reflected in the scores.
22 players did not reach 30 points and only 2 shot under par.
To say that the course was in great condition would be an overstatement.
Fairways ok but the rough too long and greens faster than grease lighting.
Winner of the day was Jim Henry with 39 points with his roomie Steve “Manfred” Mann in a close second with 37 and Terry Learmonth (Toukley) in third with 35.
Last place trophy was a hard-fought affair but Peter “Chelsea” Ne’Roi triumphed with second last to Peter “Jack” Davis on a countback from Chris Moffatt.
In an effort to get fired from the handicapping job “The Ayatollah” miss calculated the final results; however it backfired due to the astuteness of “John West” who had brought his own abacus.
The John Bullivant Trophy was won by Jim Henry with a combined score of 148 - Second place went to Gary Sammons with 142 and third to last year’s winner Terry Bowditch (134)
Last place now renamed the “Bolter” award, to Peter Ne’Roi (91) and second last to Peter Davis (95)
A great week was had by all and a big thank you to Ross Bryant and Garry Buggy for organising the trip.
