The focus this week was naturally on the Ford & Dougherty Property Pro-Am, held last Friday in ideal golfing conditions, despite the lack of any substantial rain, making the fairways a little more difficult than normal. A field of 60 Professionals combined with 77 amateurs who together attracted a large gallery of spectators who came out to watch all the action and would not have been disappointed in the high standard of golf on display. Three Professionals shared the win in the Ford & Dougherty Property sponsored event, with scores of 6 under par 66 to claim the majority share of the $11,000 plus prize money on offer. They were James Nitties, Dale Williamson and Cory Crawford who were more than impressed with the course and the way it was presented by our Green staff with the assistance of their volunteers. Crawford got off to a flying start posting 5 under par in his first 6 holes which eventually resulted in seven birdies and just the one bogey on the 16th. The round of Nitties included nine birdies and three bogeys, whilst Williamson managed to produce a bogey free round, the highlight being an Eagle on the par 5 11th hole following his tee shot which finished just 100 metres out from the Green. In the amateur component of the Pro-Am, Maclean golfer John McFarlane (29) was the best with 40pts. Runner-up was another visitor, Peter Ramstadius (14) from Coffs Harbour with 39. The leading Grafton golfer was Brian Napper (11) who claimed the 2nd r/up spot on 37 on a countback of regular visitor to Grafton, Gordon Farrell representing the Iluka Golf Club. There is no doubt the Ford & Dougherty Property Pro-Am was a outstanding success, which will no doubt be repeated again in 2019. Obviously inspired by the presence of the 60 Professionals on Friday, 150 players took part in Saturday’s Ken Casson Motors (Holden & Mazda) Texas Scramble, only the second time this competition format has bee employed and seems assured of becoming a feature of our future golf programme, due to the popularity. Competition was tight, with two teams finishing on a total of 138 points and required a countback to determine who won what.  In the end it was the combination of Jack Harvison (30), Greg Harvison (Scratch), David Morgan (8) and Jimmy Cross (19) who were announced as the winners. The star of that team was “young” Jack Harvison who contributed 2, 4 point holes, together with 10 x 3 point holes, a great effort.  The other team involved in the countback comprised of Ron Baker (23), Derek Latimer (13), Alan Wade (21) and Dek Pabian (18) who were subsequently awarded the runner-up position with all four players making a fairly equal representation to their overall score.  Just the one point in arrears to the two winning teams were the foursome of Noel Allen (18), Kevin Vaughan (30), David Windsor (26) and Terry Bowe (16).  The outstanding feature of their 137 total was the 76 points accumulated on the back 9, unfortunately their form fell away a bit on the front 9, managing to record just 61 points.  However still a more than commendable result.  The Pro-pin on the Mark Harvison sponsored first hole was won by Clint Corbett (9), his tee shot just missing the cup by 86cm.  Pro-balls went down to those teams with a score of 126 points or better. Next Saturday we revert back to everyone’s favourite golf format, Stroke golf which of coarse is the Tomsy’s Timber Monthly Mug, with the various grade medals in conjunction.  A field of at least 120 plus is anticipated therefore nominate sooner rather that later to secure your preferred time slot. Unfortunately the Rotary Charity Day which was to be held last Sunday had to be postponed due to the wet conditions. As soon as the event organisers advise of any alternate date, those intending players will be advised accordingly. Two events which are coming up that may require some forward planning are the Naggers Cup scheduled for Sunday September 16 and T.G.I.F. group, their next competition to be held on Friday October 5. The normal playing conditions will apply for the Naggers Cup, which will take the form of an American Foursomes and where the men will tee off from the ladies tees and conversely the women to try their luck from the men’s tees. Sponsor of the day is Plan Biz of Grafton. Players in the T.G.I.F. event will compete in a 18 hole Stableford with a shot gun start at the normal time, proceeded by the card draw for playing partners. Ray Hopwood