Hawks Nest Ladies Golf

WHAT percentage of golfers in Australia are women? 10%? 15% 20? More?

If you guessed 42% you’d be correct, with figures showing a recent upsurge of women giving golf a go. It’s great fun, great exercise, played in the great outdoors with great people. Some of the new players are ladies who have been coming through our starter programs at Hawks Nest, working to gain their Golf Australia handicaps and club memberships. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to our ladies’ groups later this year.

The wet weather played havoc with the ladies’ fixtures throughout May. Early rain on Saturday 23^rd May saw most of the field withdraw, but 7 optimists teed off and played in relatively dry conditions. Normally this round, the Grandmother’s Trophy, is hotly contested by a large field. But today belonged to Tanya Sinclair, who fired a fantastic round of 40 points to win the trophy hands down. Tanya birdied the 7^th in her great game today, though it was a shame there were so few there to share the celebrations. Congratulations, Tanya!

Results: Saturday 23 /5/2026

Ladies 18 Hole Stableford Grandmother’s Trophy

Overall Winners: 1^st Tanya Sinclair 40 points; 2^nd Julie Hammond 33 C/B; 3^rd Jennifer Davidson 33

Place Getters: Dominique Kelly (Merewether)

NTP Hole 5: Dominique Kelly

There was a better turn out of 32 players the following Saturday, the first day under clear skies for the ladies in a long time. So there were smiles all round, especially from Robyn Wade who chipped in from 4 metres out on the 1st, Di Rumble Dickson on the 4th and Di Davis on the 9^th. Well played, ladies.

Results: Saturday 30/5/2026

Ladies 18 Hole Stableford

A Grade Winners: 1^st Karen Green 36; 2^nd Marcia Smith 35 C/B; 3^rd Jo Buttrey 35

B Grade Winners: 1^st Robyn Wade 34; 2^nd Di Bowes 33; 3^rd Tanya Sinclair 30

Place Getters (34 – 27 C/B): Julie Hammond, Lynda Bayliss, Maxine Mitchell, Deb Matheson, Antje Basson, Jo Scott, Liz Ross

NTP Hole 5: A Grade Jo Buttrey; B Grade Tanya Sinclair

NTP Hole 10: Lynette Bates (Gosford)

We finally managed to play a Tuesday Fixture last week, with 48 ladies playing in a 2BBB Qualifier event. Ladies could elect to qualify for the 8 places in the upcoming Foursomes Championships over 2 rounds this month. Today’s winning team of Sue Brownrigg and Robyn Keegan was unstoppable in  defense of the title, finishing well in front of the field with 46 points! Robyn was outstanding on the front 9 scoring 23, then passed the baton to Sue who scored 22 on the back 9 – excellent team work, ladies! There were also some great individual plays today, with Karen Serhan nailing a 31 metre chip in on the 8^th hole – lovely shot, Karen. Other chip ins came from Robyn Keegan on the 4^th, Maxine Mitchell the 10^th, Sharon Barwick from 10 metres out on the 1^st, Denise Sainty on the 6^th and Angie Clipperton on the 17^th. Great golf, ladies!

Results: Tuesday 2/6/2026

Ladies 2BBB Stableford

Overall Winners: 1^st Sue Brownrigg & Robyn Keegan 46 points; 2^nd Angela Clipperton & Deb Matheson 43 C/B; 3^rd Liz Ross & Denise Sainty 43

Place Getters (42 – 40 C/B): Ann Syme & Elsa Jones; Di Bowes & Karen Serhan; Deb Gardner & Jan Olsen; Jeanette Patfield & Lorraine Bragg; Carol Maher & Marguerite Miller

NTP Hole 5: A Grade Angela Cipperton; B Grade Deb Dummett; C Grade Roma Bernardin

After the match today, we had a special visit from member Trish Sattler, to raise awareness of The Big Freeze campaign targeting fundraising and research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Trish and her husband Steve want to share a member of their family’s current experience with MND, and encourage people to support the fight against MND by purchasing a Big Freeze Beanie from Coles and Bunnings, or a virtual beanie online.

We hope our next round of golf will become a sea of blue beanies to show our support.

Thursday’s Lady Vets game was played in gusty conditions that many of the 41 starters found challenging. One group said they had to brush up on their 8 times tables to manage their scores, and they were not alone! Rosarie Mullins however, was untroubled by the wind on the 2^nd hole, hitting “the biggest chip-in in the world” from 24 metres out, with a great shot for Play of the Day. Well done!

Results: Thursday 4/6/2026

Lady Vets 9 Hole Event

1^st Robyn Keegan 1; 2^nd Debbie Booth 1,; 3^rd Rhona Smallcombe 3; 4^th Dawn Gough 4; 5^th Elsa Jones 5

NTP Hole 3: Division 1 Di Bowes; Division 3 Viv Ballinger

NTP Hole 16: Division 1 Fran Henderson; Division 2 Donna Clemens; Division 3 Rhona Smallcombe

In upcoming events, the Lady Vets Ruby Anniversary will be celebrated with a big red morning tea extravaganza  on July 30^th, marking the 40^th year of playing lady vets golf with our great point system, which rewards participation at all levels. The Colour for a Cause Day in aid of the Blue Tree Project will be held on Friday August 24^th. All players and guests are encouraged to wear a blue outfit to support this worthy cause, raising awareness of mental health issues and initiatives in the community.

By Dianne BOWES