Sports
Grafton Men’s Golf
Despite being a long weekend holiday, an excellent field of just under 100 players challenged our golf course in the 18 hole Murray Bobcats single Stableford, conducted last Saturday.
It was one of the several visitors to the competition who got the cash with an outstanding 42 points. Representing the Nudgee Golf Club, Daniel Roberts (7) revealed real class to deny the locals a win on a course that still has an element of difficulty to it, following the recent wet weather and the resultant extra growth of grass on both our fairways and in the rough. Two Grafton players had to settle for second best with their scores of 41 points. They were Paul Hewitt (14) who was awarded the win in B Grade, with Wayne Creighton (26) taking out D Grade with his 41. Runner-up in B Grade was Terry Bowe (14) on 37. In D Grade the runner-up spot went to Peter Martin (24) with his 37. Peter also won the Mark Harvison sponsored propin with his tee shot just falling short of the cup by 55cm. Scores were fairly tight in A Grade and required a countback to decide the winner with both Tim Bartlett (5) and Graham Tracey (8) recording 37 points, Graham being declared the A Grade winner, Tim settling for the runner-up spot. In C Grade, another countback was required to decide the winner and in the end it was Bill Heath (17) claiming the win over bob Wicks (19), both completing their rounds with 36 points. The proball run down revealed just how hard some players found the course, with a score of only 33 points needed to win one on a countback from five players with 33 points, only two Jimmy Cross (18) and Graeme Smith (15), were successful in winning a ball. There were some sharp shooters in the nearest the pin trophies with some very close distances recorded from the various pins. As mentioned earlier Peter Martin claimed the 1st, Jock Macpherson (15) was the star on the Advantage Hospitality & Clarence Valley window tinting 6th hole, finishing just 72cm away. Dave Gilbert (20) put his tee shot on the Hanks Kitchen 10th 156cm from the pin. Although the pin was located in a difficult spot on the GJ Gardner Homes-Clarence Valley 17th hole, it proved to be a not so difficult challenge for Billy Heather (17) whose tee shot finished 142cm away. On the remaining two N.T.P. holes, Daniel Rogers (7) was awarded the trophy on the Motortorque Automotive 13th (80cm). Tony Gallagher (7) was too good on the Ralf’s Mechanical 4th hole (92cm).
Those veteran golfers contemplating playing in the Neil & Judy Clayden sponsored Clayden Shield on April 10 have only until Thursday April 5 to nominate. The cost is $30 per player which includes morning tea, lunch and your golf. There will be a shotgun start at 10am, the event as always being hosted by the Glen Innes Golf Club therefore those travelling by car should allow ample time to get there. For everyone else the bus will leave Grafton Golf Club at 7.15am.
Next Saturday, Poolworks, through Bev and Wayne Robinson, will sponsor the day event which will be the April monthly mug, which as normal will be played under the stroke format. As most Grafton golfers would now be aware nominations can now be made on line, which when we all get used to it, will prove to be more convenient than past methods of nominating. Should you be a little unsure of the process just refer your concerns to either any of the Club Directors, office staff or Mark Harvison. The system is fairly simple once you get used to it.
Ray Hopwood