The seven-marker played steady golf throughout to shoot a nine-over 80 to win by five shots from locals Dale Hamilton and Jodie Dunn.

“I must say I was reasonably lucky on a couple of situations and being able to stay on the fairway is a big advantage here,” Kelly said.

“The wind really picked up on our back nine and that was a really hard thing to judge, trying to keep the ball in play and get in a position where you could attack the green.

“I have played here a few times over the years and it is always nice coming back and playing Hunter Valley, it was great to win.”

While Kelly won the open event, it was a much more exciting affair in the closed championship which is contested solely by Hunter River District members.

Both Hamilton and Dunn were tied on 85 so needed a play off to decide the winner.

After three holes they were still all square and it wasn’t until Hunter Valley Golf Club member Hamilton sunk her par putt on the tenth that the championship was decided.

“It was fun to have a play off especially playing against Jodie because we know each other pretty well but it's a funny thing because I think it would be better if you didn't know the person that you were playing against because I always feel a bit guilty when winning,” Hamilton said.

“You don’t feel very nice when it is against someone that you really like or are friends with, so that that’s always a little bit difficult, but that’s golf.”

The overall nett championship went to Helen Vandenbruggen with a nett 73. The win was a big surprise for the Branxton Golf Club member.

“I had a lot of luck, a lot of shots that came good for me and I was able to recover out of very difficult spots,” she said.

“I had a great day today lovely playing partners and it was just one of those days where the course agreed with me.”

The singles championship was played at Hunter Valley Golf Club on June 20, and the foursomes championship was played at Stonebridge Golf Club the following day.

There were 22 different clubs represented from as far away as Werris Creek and Penrith.

SINGLES: Open Scratch Dom Kelly Belmont 80 Scr Closed Scratch Dale Hamilton HVGC 85 Scr Open Scratch - Division 2 Di Thorley Merriwa 98 Scr Open Scratch - Division 3 Bev Carver Nelson Bay 112 Scr Open 18 Hole Handicap - Over the Field - If needed Open & Closed 18 Hole Handicap - Over the Field Helen Vandenbruggen Branxton 73 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Division 1 Sue Wilks Muswellbrook 75 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Division 2 Gail Murray Nelson Bay 74 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Division 3 Barb Sewell Aberdeen 80 Nett 18 Hole Stableford - Division 1 Louise Morrissey Singleton 31 Pts 18 Hole Stableford - Division 2 Lyn Howell Terrigal 32 Pts 18 Hole Stableford - Division 3 Maureen Irwin Aberdeen 31 Pts 18 Hole Nett - Runner-up Division 1 Liz White The Vintage 79 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Runner-up Division 2 Helen Routh The Vintage 79 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Runner-up Division 3 Sandy Smith Nelson Bay 80 Nett 18 Hole Stableford - Runner-up Division 1 Margaret Fleming Cypress Lakes 29 Pts 18 Hole Stableford - Runner-up Division 2 Tania Carrigan Merriwa 31 Pts 18 Hole Stableford - Runner-up Division 3 Gay Stanton Merriwa 29 Pts 18 Hole Stableford 3rd - Division 1 Lyn Banks Scone 28 Pts 18 Hole Stableford 3rd - Division 2 Leesa Robinson HVGC 28 Pts 18 Hole Stableford 3rd - Division 3 Ruth McCarthy Branxton 25 Pts

FOURSOMES: Open Scratch Silver Cup Dordie Bragg Muswellbrook Lindis Durham Muswellbrook 92 Scr Open Scratch - Division 2 Susan Weis Merriwa Tania Carrigan Merriwa 106 Scr Open Nett Champions Crystal Golf Ball Royalie Sciani HVGC Donna Goddard The Vintage 79 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Division 1 Di Thorley Merriwa Nellie Holz Denman 81 1/2 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Division 2 Gail Murray Nelson Bay Chris Lord Penrith 80 1/2 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Runner-up Division 1 Liz White The Vintage Helen Parker Topp The Vintage 85 Nett 18 Hole Nett - Runner-up Division 2 Jan Scobie Branxton Carol Miller Branxton 82 Nett 18 Hole Nett - 3rd - Division 1 Liz Latham Cypress Lakes Gay Saines Cypress Lakes 85 Nett 18 Hole Nett - 3rd - Division 2 Libby Moore Merriwa Gay Stanton Merriwa 84 Nett 18 Hole Nett - 4th - Division 1 Robyn Watt Waratah Denise Stewart Charlestown 85 1/2 Nett 18 Hole Nett - 4th - Division 2 Sandra MeEllwee The Vintage Gwenda Teasdell The Vintage 86 1/2 Nett