It was an enthusiastic start to the 2016 golf season, with the official opening day last Saturday attracting almost 160 starters. The competition was a four person Ambrose sponsored by McLennan Earthmoving. With an outstanding gross score of just 62, the team of Mick Carter, Adam Carroll, Matt Day and Tony Norton easily won the day with 55 1/4 following the application of their combined 6 3/4 handicap. Their card reveals 8 birdies, one eagle and the rest pars. In the runner up spot, with a score of 57, was the Tracey Clan, John, Graham, Peter and Allan. The second runner up position with a nett score of 57 1/8, were Nick Fuller, Kayne Endean, Shane Tinnock, together with Craig Langford. Should your team have a score of 59 7/8 or better, you have secured yourself a pro-ball for that effort. The winner of the Mark Harvison sponsored Pro-Ball on the par 3 1st, was Matt McKee whose tee shot finished just 82cm from the cup. Saturday may have been the start of our 2016 season, however Sunday was the completion of the 2015-16 Summer teams competition with the top ten shoot out for both the mens and ladies divisions of the competition and formal presentation of trophies. The standout team for this year was without doubt the Clarence Coast Motors team comprising of Tom Battaglini, Bill Dudgeon, Brian Hewitt, John Mannell, Dek Pabian, Ted Strong and Peter Tziavaras who won the final, 86pts to their final opponents, Elgas who could only gather 73pts, their lowest team score for the year. The Elgas team of Noel Allen, Bill Byrnes, Brian Dougherty, Neil Hayward, Bill Heath, Peter Lane and Kevin Vaughan also had an outstanding year by claiming the Minor Premiership, the best team score for the series, and also claimed the runner up spot in the competition. Wrapping up the series was the Top Ten Shootout which was held on Sunday with Anne Trimble taking out the ladies. Anne had to contend against some very stiff competition, including the early favourites for the win, both Jen Townsend and Sharyn O’Grady who were outstanding right through out the series. Bill Dudgeon had to overcome 5 members of his own team (Clarence Coast Motors) to take out the mens component of the shoot-out, claiming the victory following a chip off on the final hole. It is not hard to determine the shot of the week, with Dougie Hughes scoring an ace on the difficult Par 3 17th hole in last Tuesdays competition. This was Doug’s 2nd hole in one, previously scoring one on the 12th hole (now the 10th) way back in 1994. This coming Saturday, Ravens Smash Repairs will be providing the trophies, with the event being the February Monthly Mug. As usual it will be a Stroke event with trophies for all 4 grades as as the overall winner. Whilst on the subject of future golf events, the next T.G.I.F competition is scheduled for Friday 26th February, hosted by Grafton Golf Club. The event will commence with a shotgun start at 11.30 proceeded by a social drink or two and card draw for partners. Contact Neil Hayward or Bobby Smith for further details. Ray Hopwood