Better weather did not mean better results for Nico Wynd’s golfers last weekend.
The first day of the 45th annual Men’s Saturday Club Championship at Nico Wynd Golf Course was spectacularly sunny and hot – but the majority of the 40 competitors struggled with scoring, resulting in well-above-average scores, golfer and press spokesman Ross Ruddick noted in an email.
“Even the normally reliable low handicappers, such as past champions Jamie Mills, Graham Roberts and Andrew Paul, have taken themselves out of contention with disappointing results,” he said, but added that there were several mid- to high-handicappers in the hunt for the low-net trophy and some had achieved reasonably good results, including some past champions.
Ironically, the score improved significantly on Sunday (second day), when the weather turned windy and wet.
The first nine holes were windy and cloudy but dry, but then rain came at times, ranging from drizzle to downpours, Ruddick said.
“Perhaps the softer conditions helped many competitors to see a huge improvement in their gross and net scores and made the competition much more exciting,” he said.
After volunteer scorekeepers Dave Rieberger and Sandra Roberts tabulated all the points and handicaps, former four-time winner Blair Smith beat the stubborn Jamie Mills to take the trophy for lowest gross profit by two strokes.
In the race for the low-net trophy, Peter Hickli improved by 10 strokes from Saturday, beating four close competitors and delivering an outstanding round with a net score of 66, which was also a two-stroke victory for the first-time winner, said Ruddick.
Club captain Graham Roberts presented the trophies.
With Saturday and Tuesday’s senior club championships complete, two major events remain: The 20th annual Memorial Tournament is scheduled for September 14, while Ace of the Year is September 28.
For more information about the two clubs, visit: nwmgc.ca
