About our District
The Northern Rivers District takes in one of the state’s most progressive and fastest growing areas, from Grafton in the south, just over 600km north of Sydney, to the Queensland border at the southern end of the Gold Coast. It is a popular destination for visitors and residents in search of lifestyle and business opportunities. Local features include cities such as Lismore, Grafton, Tweed Heads; the tourist mecca of Byron Bay and the alternative lifestyle of Nimbin, plus a number of vibrant rural and coastal villages and towns. It has a diverse population from retirees to young people. It has a superb natural environment from the mountains to the sea. All this means that there is a fantastic mix of golf courses to explore.
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WGNR has been informed of the passing of WGNR Life Member Irene Fuller on Friday 3rd May 2013. Irene in her time contributed a great deal to the development of golf in her home Clubs, District and at State level. The golfing community sends its condolences to the family. [Read More]
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NSW Women's Country Meeting
“Choose your line, line up your feet, check your grip, stay still over the ball.” These are all things golfers are constantly running through the mind along with many other coaches’ instructions. Weekly women golfers from country clubs, have found many reasons for playing golf other than the game itself. The annual country meeting arranged by Golf NSW provides the opportunity for country ladies to play top Sydney courses, form new friendships and engage in city culture. The bus load of ladies pictured here from Coolangatta- Tweed, Yamba, Grafton, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and Bellingen certainly enjoyed these opportunities…more
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At the ripe young age of 77, Grafton golfing legend Jean Dahl recently won her Club Women’s Championship for the 30th time, setting a record that will be almost impossible to break. To do it she had to defeat her niece, Janette Blair, in a three-hole play-off, making it a bittersweet win…more
Annual WGNR Inc. Veteran's Tournament
The Annual WGNR Inc. Veteran’s Tournament (incorporating the Veteran Championship) was held at Mullumbimby on Monday 19th March 2012.
Anne Jackson from Ballina, pictured below, won the scratch score and therefore the Veteran’s Championship with a score of 26. Runner up was Val Marsh from Ocean Shores 25.
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Other winners were:
18 hole Stableford Division 1
Winner-Robin Moller (Ocean Shores)
Runner up- Jackie Fairhall (Ballina)
18 hole Stableford Division 2
Winner- Margaret Bretherton (Casino)
Runner up – Cherie Chidlow (Ocean Shores)
18 hole Stableford Division 3
Winner – S. Tibbutt (Byron Bay)
Runner up- Lyn Hay (Ballina)
Despite playing in very wet conditions everyone had an enjoyable day.
Women's Golf Northern Rivers 80th Anniversary
Women’s Golf Northern Rivers has been a strong force in the district for 80 years. Some enterprising women held a meeting at Lismore Golf Club on 14th September 1932. It was such an important beginning. Miss Leonore Wray, Vice President of the NSW Ladies Golf Union attended and she was given a Civic reception by the Mayor of Lismore.
At this original meeting the affiliation fees were set at 10/6 for clubs of 30 associates or over and 5/- for clubs with less than 30 associates. The women’s membership in Northern Rivers clubs is now approximately 1612 women members in 18 affiliated clubs.
This year marks the 80-years anniversary and the tournament is being held on 23/24/25th July at Lismore Workers Golf Club where it all began. A dinner will be held at the Lismore Workers Club on the Tuesday night of the tournament, where we will celebrate our history with the production of a book 1932-2012, a visual photo trip through the history of women and their golf clubs in the Northern Districts. We will also celebrate the contribution to golf in the district and in some cases at state level of various women including our two Life Members, Irene Fuller and Beryl Harris.
Some of our women in their clubs are struggling to maintain membership, but in every club there are inspirational and committed women working hard to ensure golf is available for everyone to enjoy.
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Photo: Lynne Ritchie, a member of the GNSW Board and Chair of the Course Rating and Handicapping Committee together with some members of the WGNR Inc. Executive. Acting President Margaret Rogers, Secretary Robyne Trotter and Vice President Cathy Blissett.
Lynne visited a recent meeting of the WGNR Inc. Club Office Bearers and interested members to explain course rating and the slope handicapping system and the latest information on the list of clubs who have had their ratings released.