What began as a perfect day for golf last Saturday, suddenly changed mid afternoon when a storm, which produced rain of almost Tsunami proportions, sent the afternoon field heading for cover with the sound of the warning siren to do so in their ears. However many of those players effected, returned to complete their rounds in the City Centre Conveyancing 18 hole Stableford when the all clear was sounded to do so, to their credit as the course was almost unplayable as a result. From the 107 starters, three players finished with 41 points which required a countback to decide who won what. The winner overall was Mick Beehag (10). The other two players involved in the countback were Peter Tziavaras (22) who was rewarded with the D Grade win with John Dougherty (23) having to settle for the runner-up spot in that grade. John’s effort was even more remarkable, as he was one of those players caught up in the storm.  Morning players dominated the results in most grades with Nick Fuller (9) the best in ‘A’ grade with a score of 39 points, from Tony Gallagher (8) claiming the runner-up spot with 38. B Grade was a very tight affair with Dek Pabian (13) and Darron King (12) both finishing on 37 points and that was the order they finished in following a countback.  Karl Studd (15) just missed the overall prize with his 40 points, however that score easily gave him the win in ‘C’ grade with the next best score being 36 points recorded by Ralf Zaffino (17). Of the 107 starters, 11 were visitors from various other Clubs with several of those visitors going home with a pro-ball as a reward for their efforts. To gain one of those balls you needed a score of 34 points or better.The Mark Harvison sponsored nearest the pin prize on the par 3 first was won by Neville Gilbert whose tee shot finished just 132cm from the cup. The Veteran top gun shootout for 2016 has now been commenced for both our men and lady golfers. The leader board for this series has been updated to reveal the top 10 Veteran players eligible to compete now on display. As at 23rd March it was a very narrow spread of scores separating the players. The leading player at that time in the men’s division being Neville Henwood on 42 points and Al McLeod currently in 10th position on 40 points. This particular competition will continue until early October at which time the actual shootout will take place.  Therefore there is plenty of time remaining to secure a place in the top ten qualifying field. It has been mentioned in a previous column, however it is very worthwhile highlighting again and that is the Muscular Dystrophy NSW (Research) mixed golf event promoted by Reg and Kay McLennan. The charity day will take the form of a mixed 2BBB Stableford and will commence with a shotgun start at 11am. Through the efforts of Reg and Kay and the generous support of many Grafton Business houses, there will be a huge array of trophies on offer. To enter the event and assist with this very worthwhile charity, all you need to do is nominate through the Club computer in the Clubhouse or phone Mark Harvison in the Pro-shop on 6642 5413. There is a busy programme of events coming up for the T.G.I.F. group with the next competition scheduled for Friday 15th April at their Grafton home course.  Normal activities will prevail on the day with the event commencing with a few social drinks and draw for partners prior to the 11.30am shotgun start.  Following on from that event the T.G.I.F. group will travel to Kooralbyn on 24th & 25th June for one of their away trips. The cost for the trip will be $220 which covers your golf, accommodation and breakfast. To secure your place on this mini tour, Neil Hayward must receive payment no later than 15th April or you will miss out. The cost of the provided bus transport has yet to be decided and can be paid later. Next Saturday we have a very important events and that is the April Monthly Mug, on this occasion being sponsored by Bev and Wayne Robinson from Poolworks, who are one of those sponsors who have been associated with Grafton Golf for 20 plus years or more. This is one competition we all strive to win, with each monthly winner qualifying for the Gold Mug playoffs later in the year. Winners of the mug so far in this prestigious series for this year include Danny Li (November), Greg Harvison (December), Jimmy Cross (January), Alan Wade (February) and our super veteran Eric Schaefer (March). Nothing could be better than to join this elite group of players as a monthly mug winner.   Ray Hopwood