Bellata Golf Club hosts annual men’s open day

Bellata Golf Club’s iconic nine-hole sand green course hosted the annual Bellata Men’s Open Day on Sunday.

A field of 33 golfers teed off and they were forced to battle wind, rain and ball-stealing crows as they made their way around the course.

The format of the event was an 18-hole individual stroke tournament in which golfers played each of the course’s nine holes twice.

The number of golfers expected to attend the event was about 50, but Bellata Golf Club captain Craig Tomlinson told The Courier that between 16 travelling golfers decided not to make the trip on Sunday morning given the uncertainty of the weather.

Richard Miller, Tim Simmonds, Andrew Stieger and Paul Hulbert. Richard Miller, Tim Simmonds, Andrew Stieger and Paul Hulbert.

Will Coldham, Angus Smith, Will Smith and Will Turner. Will Coldham, Angus Smith, Will Smith and Will Turner.

Lady golfers Gail Richardson, Daphne Nairn, Marge Roberts, Heather Roberts, Peg Penberthy, Louise Penberthy and Melissa Hall helped prepare lunch on the day. Lady golfers Gail Richardson, Daphne Nairn, Marge Roberts, Heather Roberts, Peg Penberthy, Louise Penberthy and Melissa Hall helped prepare lunch on the day.

David Kirkby, Brian Nairn, Bill Guest and Bruce Penberthy. David Kirkby, Brian Nairn, Bill Guest and Bruce Penberthy.

Glenn Tomlinson, Mark Manchee, Sean Murphy and club captain Craig Tomlinson. Glenn Tomlinson, Mark Manchee, Sean Murphy and club captain Craig Tomlinson.

Drew Penberthy, Glenn Fernance, Grant Lowien, Rod Hall, David Noy, Dean Hancock, Gus Ashby and Tom Luff. Drew Penberthy, Glenn Fernance, Grant Lowien, Rod Hall, David Noy, Dean Hancock, Gus Ashby and Tom Luff.

Mark Nairn, Robert Guest, Graham Cameron and Michael Gard. Mark Nairn, Robert Guest, Graham Cameron and Michael Gard.

“It was still a very successful day,” Tomlinson said.

“The lady golfers cooked a delicious lunch, it would have to be the best cooked lunch in the whole of the north west.

“It was a T-bone steak and vegies and bread and butter custard.

“Everyone had a great day.”

The winner of the Bellata Men’s Open Day was Moree’s Angus Smith who was the A-grade gross winner with a score of 79.

Finishing two shots back as the A-grade gross runner-up with 81 was Narrabri’s Paul Hulbert.

The event’s A-grade nett winner was Narrabri’s Michael Gard who totalled 67 nett, and Moree’s Will Smith was the A-grade nett runner-up with a 72 nett score.

B-grade gross winner was Andrew Stieger with 88, B-grade gross runner-up with 89 was Will Coldham, B-grade nett winner with 67 nett was Tom Luff and B-grade runner-up with 72 nett was Ben Penberthy.

C-grade gross winner with 87 was Drew Penberthy, C-grade gross runner-up with 90 was Dean Hancock, C-grade nett winner with 62 nett was Will Turner and C-grade runner-up on 63 nett was Jack Sharpe.

The A-grade long drive was won by Will Smith, B-grade long drive went to Will Coldham and C-grade long drive was claimed by Will Turner.

Will Smith also won the A-grade nearest to pin while the B-grade nearest to pin went to Mark Nairn.

The nine-hole nett winner was Gus Ashby with 34 nett.