Sutton and Wheeler shine bright at Vets Week of Golf at Nambucca
JOHN Sutton showed more utility than a Swiss Army pocket knife as he ran down a tearaway leader to win the men’s Vets Week of Golf NSW Shield at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course.
The 10-marker from the Links Hope Island course on the Gold Coast was super consistent with stableford scores of 37 and 36 for a 73 total to win on countback from Kew’s Steven James (6 handicap) who smoked with 42 points on Tuesday 26 August before fading with 31 on the Thursday.
Hope Island is an almost tree-less course so Sutton’s effort at Nambucca which is tighter than a prop forward in fishnets on Mad Monday is commendable.
Christopher Raine (15) from Shortland Waters came in third on 72 points, one clear of Wentworth’s David Parkes (11) on 71.
“After rain – and flood – dampened this event in recent years we struck gold in 2026. The showers parked over the course on Wednesday which was our rest day so all four days of competition proceeded seamlessly,” Nambucca Heads Week of Golf (WoG) organiser Geoffrey McCann said.
“We had capacity fields – men and women from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and across The Dutch (NZ) – and they loved the championship layout here on The Island.
“It wasn’t just about golf as new friendships were made or renewed and the players enjoyed the hospitality at the club as well as supporting the local accommodation providers, pubs, clubs, retail and attractions – providing a significant economic boost for the Nambucca Valley.”
While low markers chomped the choccies in the men’s event it was those with shots in the bag who shone in the women’s.
Kiama Golf Club’s Jackie Wheeler (37) was a blow-in from the Blow Hole and blew the field away for the win with a 36-hole total of 74 points.
Louise Cole (44) from Sanctuary Cove was runner-up on 73, from Wynnum’s Noela Evans (35) on 72 and Ballina’s Sharon Carberry (17) on 70.
The Vets WoG opened happily with a medley Irish Team stableford on Monday 24 August which saw Alan and Marion Coy, Sharon Jeffs and John Sutton crowned winners from runners-up David Williamson, Trudie Lawes and Paul and Jane Winslade.
The final and fourth day of the week of competition had Russell Williams and Craig Hams supreme with a score of 64.37 for the win in a medley Canadian Foursome.
Runners-up were Sharon Carberry and Gordon Newton on 65.12, while best gross was secured by Danny Lloyd and David Parkes.
“We were due for some luck with the weather at The Island WoG and eveything we could control worked seamlessly. The main thing was everyone seemed to have a good time, the course was in excellent condition and we expect many visiting players will pencil in Nambucca as a must-return,” tournament co-organiser Coral McCann said.