The year 2008-09 saw the club's talented youngsters realise the potential that has been evident
for some time.
In his last year as a junior Blake Poulter won the Club Championship thus ending the domination
of Phil Pye and Brian Sams have had over this title. In winning this year Blake became the youngest
champion in the Club's history, being slightly younger than Brian Worth when he won in 1966. Blake
also won the Junior Seaside Classic and was a member of the North Coast team that won the
NSW Inter Regional team championship.
Although a couple of years out of junior ranks, to most of our members Tim Harris is a youngster.
Tim is the 2009 Patron's Day Match Play Champion, having beaten Phil Pye in the final.
Sam Johnson won both the Lower North Coast District Golf Association (LNC) Championship and
Junior Championship. In the open championship he defeated another Port Macquarie golfer, Gerd
Riedler in a play-off and Gerd won the Senior (over 55) championship.
To continue the dominance of the youngsters, eighteen year old Brendan Smith won the 2008
Seaside Classic and, although the 2009 Seaside Classic was not played in the period covered by
this report, the winner James Thomas was even younger at seventeen.
At the other end of the scale club members Brian Sams, Gerd Riedler and Bruce Duncombe have
regularly been travelling to compete in Seniors events. Brian was once again chosen to represent
Australia in the Cross Tasman Challenge and in the Asian Pacific Senior Championship and
acquitted himself with distinction.
As good as it is to win these individual events it is the Club's Division One pennant team that is the
real measure of a club's standing. Our team of David Bagust (Captain), Phil Pye, John Hutchison,
Blake Poulter, Michael Swift, Tim Harris, Graeme Fergusion, Sam Johnson, Gerd Riedler, Terry
Davis and Brad Hawkins went through the pennant season undefeated, winning the pennant for the
third consecutive year.
Unfortunately the weather disrupted Division 2, 3 and 4 and these were abandoned with our
Division 2 and 3 teams undefeated and our Division 4 side in a strong position. Like our Division 1
team our Division 4 side had a blend of youth and experience with two thirteen year olds mixed with
a number of Vets.
The Masters and Junior pennants were played early in the year before the rain came and although
we did not win either of these our teams performed very creditably.
In March a contingent of our members made the trek to Beverely Park to celebrate the fifieth year
of reciprocal visits (between the two clubs) and the weekend lived up to expectations. In November
Beverley Park will make their fiftieth trip to Port Macquarie.
The theme that has run right through the year's golf results is the number of players who follow
coaching sessions from our professionals with success in club competitions. The world's best
golfers have lessons; shouldn't we. Thank you to Ben and his staff for the assistance they give to
club competitions and all things pertaining to golf. The Pro-shop is the first point of contact for
visitors and the staff there do much to enhance our image.
Steve Poulter has been responsible for our juniors for a number of years now and I would like to
thank him for his efforts and he must be very proud to see his proteges perform so well. This year
we introduced a scheme where cadet members can play in the Sunday field and there are a several
youngsters taking advantage of this, including some girls. It should only be a matter of time before
at least one of these girls progresses to junior membership.
Many members contributed to a successful Seaside Classic and my thanks go to them for their
efforts. I would like to make special mention of Vice-Captain Dave Harris, Kel Tremayne, Grahame
Gunn, Faye Gibbs and Betty Dunn for their efforts behind the scenes. Thanks very much. The two
handicappers, Geoff Staines and Helen Christie had a very busy Seaside week and their efforts
are greatly appreciated.
Once again Pamela Jones and her Ladies' Committee have done an outstanding job and with the
influx of some younger members ladies golf continues to grow stronger.
We are indeed fortunate to have two progressive Veterans' committees and Tuesday has got to the
stage where we need more hours in the day.
I have tried to stay on the bright side by not talking about the horrible weather but I must thank Steve
Brennan and his staff for the outstanding job that they have done in very difficult conditions. Well
done fellows. The durability of our course was demonstrated on one Sunday in the pennant season
when we were the only course in the LNC that was playable.
I would like to thank General Manager Trevor and his staff for the support that they give me with a
special mention of Donna, Glen and Dean.
We have many members who regularly help with the conduct of our competitions. To all of these
members thank you very much. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
The Port Macquarie News treats us kindly every week of the year and we thank them for that. I
would particularly like to thank Alan Woodhouse for the articles that he writes.
Finally to the Match Committee, well done fellows and I would particularly like to thank Dave Harris
for his support and help during my absence.
2010 sees the Club celebrate its centenary and a big year of celebrations is planned. We will host
a number of major events as well as having special events for our members and visitors. I invite all
members to join in the celebrations and let us make 2010 a year to remember.
KEITH HEAP
Captain.