The NSWCHS and All Schools Championships may have been a once in a life time experience for many young golfers. The Stroke Play Championship was played over two courses and 36 holes.  Day 1 the play was at The NSW Golf Club and day 2 the final round was held at The Coast Golf Club.  This event was followed by the All Schools Match Play Championships at the NSW and St Michaels Golf Clubs. 

There were so many boys wishing to compete in the stroke play event and play on these courses that the cut off point for entrants meant that all competitors on a handicap of 8 and 7 and many 6 markers were balloted out. This is the first time in the history of the championships that this has occurred.  There were 165 entries in the boys and girls events and only 120 places available.

One young player from Dubbo Senior Campus was making the most of his opportunities.

Joel Head (Dubbo College Senior Campus) has been playing golf for four and a half years and plays off a handicap of 4. Joel’s introduction to golf was through his sister.  Joel’s sister was going out with the trainee pro in Dubbo. Joel said that he tagged along for a social hit one day and now golf has become his passion.

Joel has represented his school at school at Cricket, Rugby League and Touch and the Western Region at Touch and Golf. He made the following comments at the championships on Tuesday.

“I was thrilled to be able to compete on the NSW Course.  The views were amazing and the layout awesome.  You don’t want to leave once you are there. All the kids are over the moon to be given this marvellous opportunity. The course is unbelievable.” He also commented that every one has been most welcoming.

The opportunities provided by the NSW Golf Club and Coast Golf Club members and the experience gained by the students is one that will stay with all of the competitors who have had the privilege of playing on two such prestigious golf courses.

This is one of the Championships of the NSWCHS calendar that is really worth a visit.  The standard of the golf played by the young students in our schools is truly amazing; to be able to view the proceedings on the world class championship NSW course and the Coast course is another bonus.

Dan Cullen (Sydney East Convener) was the club champion of NSW and St Michaels in the one year (1979) and a proud member wanted to give as many young players the opportunity to play on these magnificent Golf Courses. His negotiation skills in attaining such wonderful courses and his meetings and letters to the Boards concerned should not go unnoticed. Max and Di Lyndsay from the NSW Golf Club not only took a billet for the week but helped spot golf balls and also refereed the finals of the Match play. This is a truly wonderful commitment to the up and coming young boys and girls of NSWCHS and All Schools Golf. Many thanks need to be given to the superintendents at the golf courses for the impeccable shape they had the course and the greens. A special thankyou is extended to the area conveners who have travelled from all parts of NSW to assist in the smooth running of these championships and to the NSWCHS Golf convener Gary Chapman.