Better weather didn't mean better scores for Nico Wynd golfers last weekend.
Day One of the 45th annual Saturday Men’s Club Championship at Nico Wynd Golf Course was spectacular sunny and hot – but the majority of the 40 competitors found the scoring difficult, resulting in well over-average scores, noted golfer and media relations representative Ross Ruddick in an email.
"Even the usually reliable low handicappers such as past champions Jamie Mills, Graham Roberts and Andrew Paul effectively took themselves out of the race with disappointing scores," he said, but added there were several mid- to high-handicappers in the hunt for the low-net trophy who posted some reasonably good scores, including a few past champions.
Somewhat ironically, the scoring improved substantially on Sunday (Day Two), when weather conditions turned windy and wet.
Early starters enjoyed a windy and cloudy, but dry front nine, but then came intermittent rain ranging from drizzles to downpours, Ruddick said.
"Perhaps the softer conditions contributed to many competitors seeing vast improvements in their gross and net scores, and the competition got much tighter," he shared.
After volunteer scorers Dave Rieberger and Sandra Roberts tabulated all the scores and handicaps, previous four-time winner Blair Smith held off hard-charging Jamie Mills to take the low gross trophy by two strokes.
In the chase for the low net trophy, Peter Hickli improved by 10 strokes over Saturday to hold off four close competitors and produced a stellar round of net 66, which was also a two-stroke victory for this first-time winner, Ruddick said.
Club captain Graham Roberts presented the trophies.
With the Saturday and Tuesday (Senior) club championships in the books, two major events remain to be played: the 20th annual Memorial tournament is scheduled for Sept. 14, while the Ace of the Year is on Sept. 28.
For more information about the two clubs is available at: nwmgc.ca
