Sport Supported by Newy Store Ellen King wins a tight Womens Classic ‘Finally, after much wrangling, the go ahead was given golf tournament at Ocean Shores in late 1998.
Mullumbimby Tennis Club celebrates 30 years
Some of the Mullumbimby Tennis Club’s 167 members made it to the latest evening of social tennis. Photo supplied A facility that started as a ‘dream’ by a group of players in 1992 to build a community tennis centre has turned 30 years old, and club members have told The Echo how the club came to be. The club’s Jonathan Hartland told The Echo, ‘It started with lobbying local government to obtain crown land and once agreed, then
raising the money to build while submitting a plan of the complex to Council’. ‘Fundraising filled every waking moment, and with perseverance, patience and positive thinking, the dream started to become a reality. ‘The side benefits of the fundraising were the close friendships that were forged in a common purpose.
‘Six courts were laid, and in April 1999, building of the club house commenced, with the official opening taking place in August 2000. ‘The fundraising machine continued working to service loan payments. Initially, these were very substantial, but after ten years of intense fundraising, the club finally paid back the loan (circa $190,000). ‘It was a huge effort by everyone involved.
Celebrate this Sunday ‘On Sunday, November 26, we will be celebrating this momentous milestone from 2pm at the club. All members past and present are invited to share food, fun and happy memories’.
Local triathletes look for three-peat
The Tri Club got a good start in Yamba chasing their third championship. Photo supplied Byron Bay Tri Club kicked off the 2023/24 North Coast Interclub Triathlon Series in Yamba last weekend. ‘The day offered impeccable conditions that set the stage for a spectacular showcase of swimming, cycling, and running. The calm waters, light winds, and a touch of cloud was the perfect trifecta,’ club member Deborah Fuller said. ‘We have won the last two series in a row and will battle
it out to make it three’. The clubs in this season’s league include Macksville, Port Macquarie, Hat Head, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Yamba, Ballina, Tweed and Byron Bay. ‘With the first race in the books, we’ve tried hard to set the bar high for what lies ahead in this series.’ Outstanding performances included: Jaime Cascajares who won his age division and came third
overall. David Mildren was second in his division and eighth overall. Cara Brisbane topped her age division and came second overall in the womens. Christie Horsley was seventh overall while Gracie Richter was first in her age division and eighth overall. Deborah Fuller also topped her age division and came in 12th overall.
Ocean Shores Country Club hosted the Womens Classic golf tournament where over 75 women participated each day across the November 13-14 weekend. Women from Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay were joined by golfers from Ballina, Grafton, Tenterfield and the Gold Coast to play across three divisions. The course was in prime condition, the greens were smooth, the hazards were testing and the weather was perfect. Teenager Elly Petrie had a day one lead of six but this was erased on day two by Ellen King. A three-hole playoff was required with the more experienced Ellen maintaining her momentum and winning by two shots. The event began in 1999
Just some of the talent that took part in this year’s Ocean Shores Country Club Womens Classic. Photo supplied as the Ocean Shores Ladies Amateur Challenge and this year was rebranded as the Womens Classic and sponsored by Byron and Beyond Fencing and Patios. Winners known to have gone on to have a career in golf include Amanda Fisher (1999), Carlie Butler (2000),
Katy Jarochowicz (2001), Heather Warren (2003), Heidi McCulkin (2004), Sunny Park (2006), and Bree Arthur (2008). Carlie Butler, in winning the event in 2000, set a new course record for women of 68. This was matched by Bree Arthur in 2006.
Local tennis star ready to take on the state’s best Byron Bay junior tennis player Sonny Reid has been selected to play in the Champion of Champions event in Western Sydney this weekend. Sonny has been playing tennis seriously for just over a year and plays approximately 10 hours a week including competitions. ‘He has an incredible work ethic and really is committed to being a great future tennis star,’ Andrew Bates from Byron Bay Tennis said. Sonny has been selected by NSW Tennis Country to compete in the U/10 Boys at the 2023 NSW Champion of Champions event to be held in Springwood/Nepean on November 25-26. Players will compete in a 32-player draw to decide the best players in the state. The event features boys and girls competitions across
Sonny has only been playing tennis seriously for a year but is vying to become a state champion. Photo supplied four age groups inlcuding U/10, U/12, U/14 and U/16s. All up 235 players from across the state have been selected to play at the tournament.
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