With the combination of a drying course and the preferred lies playing conditions, it would be expected that scoring at the moment would be better than that would normally apply. In last Saturday’s Grafton Radiator Repairs 18 hole Stableford, with the best score being a outstanding 45 points from the almost 120 starters, achieved by Chris Wheelahan (14), who not only took out the overall trophy, but would have also cleaned up his playing partners, who no doubt would have suffered some financial pain as a result. To add to Chris’s trophy list he captured the NTP prize from his second shot on the par 4, 14th that shot finishing a mere 89cm from the cup. That particular trophy provided by Motortorque Automotive. Two players achieved scores of 41 points, A Grade winner Athol Green (9) was one with Phil Tarrant (17) the other and was awarded the appropriate win in C Grade for his effort. The r/up spot in A Grade went to Neville Gilbert (9) with 39. Jim Packwood (19) secured the r/up position in C Grade also with 39. Gordon Shand (13) continues his very consistent form with a strong 40 points to take out B Grade from Peter Sinclair (11) with 37. Scoring in D Grade was better than reasonable with Daniel Usher (27) awarded the win there from Brian Hewitt (23) on 39. Two eagles were recorded, the most spectacular being achieved on the 372 metre par 4 3rd hole by Greg Harvison (0) who, for the record does not take advantage of the preferred lies playing conditions, opting to play his shot where the ball lies, which adds to the quality of a great second shot. Darryl Toms (9) was the other player to record a eagle, his third shot on the par 5 18th finding the cup with ease. Acting Captain on the day, Neil Hayward (9), had a score of 35 points and that is the score you required or better to achieve a pro-ball. The Pro-pin was won by Gavin Butler with a superb shot into the par 3 1st hole, finishing just 27cm from the cup. Mark Harvison providing the prize for that effort. Next Saturday our golf competition will focus on the March monthly mug, on this occasion being sponsored by Grafton Air/Daikin Air Conditioning. The format of course will be a stroke event. Should no significant rain be recorded prior to then, the preferred lies playing condition will most likely remain in force. To be sure just check the notice board at the pro-shop before hitting off. A upcoming event that will require some thought is the formation of a 4 man team in the annual Irish 4 Ball, with long term sponsors of this particular competition, Thompson, Wheelahan and Hampshire, continuing with their long association with the Club and our golf. This is a particularly popular event, therefore a big field is anticipated and it would be advisable to secure your preferred tee off time by nominating early. For those players who enjoy the thrill of mixed golf, your next mixed event is scheduled for Sunday 13th March, commencing with a shotgun start at 11am. The competition will take the form of a 2BBB Stableford. Nominations now being accepted through the Club computer. In last Friday’s T.G.I.F. competition, played under the Stableford format, Bob Smith was the eventual winner with 38 points. To secure the win Bob had to survive a countback from Neville Higham who finished with obviously the same score, Bob’s 23 points on the back 9 convincingly giving him the countback. Dougie Hughes and Tim Newsome took out the 4 Ball event held in conjunction from the Brian Dougherty and Neil Hayward pairing. Ray Hopwood