Nearly 250 golfers from 50 clubs nationwide ensured January’s Geraldton Country Week was the biggest it’s been for years.
The annual celebration of golf was first staged in 1979 and the high levels of participation in its 47th incarnation rolled back the clock to the event’s glory days.
Spalding Park GC and Geraldton GC shared hosting duties, with daily competitions running from Monday-Wednesday and a two-day championship to round out the week.
For much of its life, Geraldton Country Week was a men’s-only tournament, but separate events were added to the schedule for women in the early 2000s with participation levels growing exponentially from an initial 6-7 players up to 51 in 2026.
Such was the demand that an extra day of competition was added to the women’s tournament, which also included a round at Dongara GC as well as Spalding Park and Geraldton.
The tournament featured various competitions, including the sand green and grass green stroke and nett championships for men and two-day Stableford events for both men and women.
As well as glorious weather, there was some high quality, nail-biting golf on display with a sudden death, four-hole playoff required to decide the Grass Greens Championship at Spalding Park.
Ultimately, it was Bonville Golf Resort member Nathan Woods who edged out home-club favourite Joel Winkley to clinch the title.
The success of the week was welcomed by Rob Christoffersen, Chair of the Country Week Coordinating Committee.
“We were ecstatic to see 235 players from clubs as far away as Bonville, Derby, Nyabing, Leinster and Southern Cross,” he said. “This was a fantastic outcome, both for the clubs and the wider Geraldton community.
“Women’s Country Week continues to go from strength to strength, too, with a record 51 players representing 11 clubs from as far afield as Karratha, Carnarvon and Calingiri. Long may it continue!”
If you’re keen to get in on the action, mark your calendars now as Geraldton Country Week is already locked in for 2027 and will run from January 11-15.
Notable winners
Women’s Stableford Championship: Nat Anderson (Geraldton) 73 points
Men’s Stableford Championship: Anthony Camm (Perth Golf Network)
Men’s Grass Greens Championship (Gross): Nathan Woods (Bonville Resort, pictured top left)
Men’s Grass Greens Championship (Nett): Mark Bradley (Geraldton, pictured top right)
Men’s Sand Greens Championship (Gross): Gillam Jones (Calingiri)
Men’s Sand Greens Championship (Nett): David Sarginson (Toodyay)
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