Brunswick Valley Junior Open Day
On an overcast day we assembled at Mullumbimby Golf Club with no great expectation that we would stay dry for the duration of the Brunswick Valley Junior Open Day. Junior golf at Mullumbimby has re-emerged in the last couple of years and we were pleased to see 15+ participants in the “Tyro 5 hole” event. This compared to just 2 competitors in the same event last year. In all, we had visitors from Ballina, Byron Bay, Coolangatta-Tweed Heads, Kyogle, Lismore, Maclean, Yamba, Coraki, Murwillumbah, Grafton and the host club.
The weather was eventually kind to us with the first rain arriving just as the last group was putting out on the 18th.
In a smaller than usual field due to a significant number of competing events, Harvey Remfrey (Ballina) was able to take home the major event of the day – the Ken Smith Memorial Trophy. Harvey’s round of 73 (3 over) was good enough to hold off Jack Harlen-Robertson (Lismore). This was Harvey’s first win in the NRDGA Order of Merit Series and he has come a long way since competing in the 9 hole event at this same location in 2011. The Junior Boys Nett division was won by Kane Endean (Maclean) who was able to play to his handicap on his first visit to the Mullumbimby layout.
Even with the overcast conditions, we were still able to welcome a strong field (16 players) to the 9 hole event. And the scores were pretty impressive too!!!! The Boys 9 hole event was won by Jack Ross (CTH) with an amazing score of 39 shots. Even off the red tees this was a very impressive effort. Ben Adams (CTH) followed Jack home with a great score of 40 and then came Sam Adams (CTH) with a score of 41. The scores in the Boys Nett division were even more sensational with Sean Sowell (Yamba) having 45 hits for a nett score of 19. The handicapper is coming Sean. Also playing well were Danny Mackenzie (Ballina) with a nett 26 and Harley Cook (Ballina) with a nett 28.
The 9 hole girls division was won by Elly Peterson (CTH) with a great score of 50 shots. The 9 hole girls nett division was won by Maddy McKee (Grafton).
As previously mentioned, the participants in the 5 hole “modified” event were mainly Mullumbimby Cadets and the increase in the number of players from the host club is a great testimony to the work of the club co-ordinators.
The next event on the NRDGA Order of Merit calendar is at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads on Sunday October 15th. I look forward to seeing you there.
Gerard Wilkinson, NRDGA Junior Promotions Officer, JNJG Territory Manager, Mobile 0419 708 676
