By MATT NICHOLLS
A COUNTBACK was needed to determine the Armidale Golf Club Women’s Jug winners, with Jennie Benton and Christine McNamara taking honours in a thriller.
One of the last pair to complete the course on Sunday, Benton and McNamara pipped early clubhouse leaders Carmel Berryman and Lynne Garner.
Both pairs recorded 43 points in the prestigious stableford event.
Uralla mother-daughter duo Loraine and Pennie Glock were next with 42 points.
It was a thrilling end to a perfect weekend of golf enjoyed by hundreds of visitors to the Armidale Golf Club.
Born-again golfer McNamara was thrilled to win the prize.
In the acceptance speech, Benton remarked their great delight in winning the inaugural “Hanlan’s Jug”, named after sponsors Margie and Jim Hanlan.
Fourth in the stableford event were MacLean golfers Helen Garney and Lexie Simmons with 42 points, while the ball count went down to 37.
Winners of the scratch event were Carol Shields and president Vanessa Ward, who scored 27 points.
The Fischer combination from Werris Creek were second with 26 points.
In the individual stableford on Saturday, Carmel Berryman took division one honours with 34 points, defeating fellow Armidale golfer Helene Dawson on a countback.
Third place went to Gold Coast visitor Elizabeth Knowles, who also returned 34 points.
Lynne Garner was best in division two with 38 points, defeating Jennifer Dallinger (36) and Barb Mulligan (35).
In third division, Armidale’s Sue Davies scored 36 points to hold out Linda Pearson and Lynette Hoy, whoboth carded 34.
Ward thanked the committee, golf pro Andrew Walkley, Trevor Carson, Brett Woodwood and his ground staff, the bar and catering staff, plus manager Tim Allerton for putting together a terrific weekend of golf.
This weekend it’s the men’s turn to compete for the jug, with more than 500 entries taken for the event.
The men’s jug will be played for on Sunday, following the Solomons Trophy event on Saturday.
The draws for the events can be found at www.armidalegolf.com.au
