Sports

Grafton men’s golf

One player who has been threatening to claim a overall win for some time now has finally achieved that milestone by winning last Saturday’s Findex Accountants 18 hole single Stableford. 

With an excellent score of 43 points, John Frame who enjoys a 16 handicap brought his consistent form to easily claim the overall win on the day over the 100 plus field.  The next best score, two shots in arrears to John, was Paul Langford (7) with 41 points which was more than good enough to claim the win in A Grade.  Runner-up to Paul was Tony Gallagher (8) with a handy 37pts.  Three shots separated the winners in B Grade, with Kin Li (13) taking the grade from Ray Smith (14) who finished on 36 points.  For the second week in succession, Rod Masen (17) has been predominant in the results, on this occasion taking out C Grade with 39 points.  Runner-up in that grade, Graeme Smith (16) did not make it easy for Rod, forcing him to sustain the win through the countback process as a result of his 39.  Graeme’s effort no doubt helped by taking out the nearest the pin prize on the Advantage Hospitality Supplies and Clarence Valley Window Tinting sponsored 6th hole, a welcome bonus to his runner-up spot trophy.  Leading home the D Grade fraternity was David Windsor (27) with 38 points from Christopher Kelly (30) who accumulated 37 points from his 18 holes.

For the second time in four weeks, David Morgan (8) has claimed the Mark Harvison sponsored Pro pin on the 1st, this time his tee shot finishing 289cm from the pin.  In other nearest the pin results, Danny Li (8) claimed the Hanks Kitchen 10th (372cm), Simon Loadsman (8) GJ Gardner Homes-Clarence Valley 17th 192cm), with the Solar Daily 2nd shot into the 4th taken out by Karl Studd (14) 263cm from the pin.  All players, apart from the various winners, with scores of 34 points or better were awarded with a pro ball for that achievement.

Next Saturday, the event will be a little different to normal being a 2 man Ambrose supported by Cromack Transport.  This particular competition normally attracts a bigger than usual field, therefore it is to your advantage to nominate early to secure your preferred time slot.  This event will also serve as the qualifier for the Grafton Glass (Dennis Pye) 2 man Ambrose knockout.  Only the top 16 pairings will progress to the knockout series, and those combinations wanting to be considered for that progression are required to mark your card accordingly.  

Both the last weeks midweek competitions attracted good fields with the Tuesday Members/Veteran competition attracting almost 90 starters with Thursday’s co-sponsored Mark Harvison and Iron Jack Tallowood Challenge having 50 plus starters.  In Tuesday’s competition in both the members and Veteran’s competition four players completed their rounds with 40 points.  At the conclusion of the countback procedure Scotty Scott (31) was declared the winner with Len Jones (20) and Peter Brennan (15) awarded the 1st and 2nd runner-up spots respectively.  The unlucky 4th player with 40 points who missed out on the major results was Rod Masen (18), who normally features in the winners results.  Pro balls going down to 35 points on a countback.

A visitor from Glen Innes, Ali Crossley (25) was too good for the local golfers taking out the Tallowood Challenge on Thursday with a 68 nett. The best of the local brigade was Neville Gilbert (19) and Tim Bartlett (3) with scores of 69 and 70 respectively.  Those players with a score of 73 or better completed their day with a pro-ball. 

Our Club is still looking for volunteers to drive the Friday night courtesy bus. At this time the response has been rather disappointing and could easily result in the suspension of this service to our members. Should you be in a position to give your time and contribute to the continuation of the service just place you names on the appropriate sheet on the Club noticeboard.  For any details relating to the volunteering of your time, contact Club President Trevor Townsend.

Ray Hopwood