As 2024 finishes I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of the Jamberoo Veteran Golfers for their support during the year and wish all a very Happy New Year.
Playing numbers have stabilised to a range of 55 to 65 each week. This is underlined by the Barry Walker Shield numbers in which there were 47 players who made the 18 rounds necessary to be considered. We have not had 40 previously.
Barry Walker Shield.
The Barry Walker Shield is a season long competition with the winner being determined by the aggregate of the best 18 stableford scores each year from 1 October to 30 September. Anyone who plays in a Veterans stableford competition at Jamberoo is automatically entered. Play regularly and you are in with a chance. This year’s winner was William Perry with an aggregate of 600 points for his best 18 rounds. There were three other players within 10 points of the winner.
We received a grant from New South Wales Veteran Golfers Association to support “Grass Roots” veterans golf. I put it to NSWVGA that this competition would be a suitable candidate for their grant and they agreed. Consequently the first four places in the Barry Walker Shield shared the grant funds. The grant probably won’t occur again as NSWVGA is looking to give more support to struggling Veterans clubs in future.
Trevor Bell Memorial Shield.
The Trevor Bell Memorial Shield is an inter club team competition for Veteran golfers whereby the aggregate of the best six scores from teams of eight are accumulated over the seven rounds of the competition. The competition is run by Illawarra Veteran Golfers Association and the seven clubs in the IVGA group with veteran golfers participate. Jamberoo won the TBMS in 2014 and 2018. We were again successful in 2024. Congratulations to all who represented the Club during the season and particularly to the eight who played in the final round at Wollongong Golf Club.
The 2025 TBMS competition starts at Wollongong Golf Club on 7th April. Keep an eye on the Vets notice board in early March when nominations for the TBMS team will be called for.
Seaside / Valley Veterans Week of Golf.
Again in 2024 Jamberoo shared the hosting of the Seaside / Valley Vets Tournament with Kiama Vets. The Tournament was very successful with Tournament Director Jeff Lynch, from Kiama, having his first experience in the job following Bob Smith who had run 11 tournaments.
This was the twelfth year we had hosted the Tournament with Kiama after many years of holding individual two day events. Thanks to the volunteers who hepled out with starting at the tees, spotting at the creek crossings and with the BBQ. The tournament will again be held in 2025 in the last week of November.
Quarterly Medals.
2024 saw the introduction of Quarterly Medal events. The first three medals were won by Geoff Reid, Gary Brickell and Col Harris.
Congratulations to all winners and again a Happy New Year to all.
Lance Fredericks