With the first two rounds of the 2019 Greg Harvison Building & Design and Jacaranda City Coaches Club Championships, Matt McKee, the 2016 Champion put together two rounds of 72 & 71 (total 145) to establish a healthy lead at the halfway mark. Four shots in arrears at this time is the defending Champion, Greg Harvison, together with Willow Harris, both players recording a two round total of 147 and remain strong contenders with the final two rounds remaining. Also in contention, should any of the current leaders falter, is 13 times Championship winner, Mathew Worthing, who recorded two rounds of 75 (total 150).

In the A Reserve Grade, Rohan Ford currently leads on 153, three shots clear of his nearest rival Nick Fuller on 156. Two players with a score of 168, Terry Bowe and Trent Dickson are the early leaders of B Grade. Next best is Matt Katon, two shots from the leaders with 170.  Allan Donaghey is by far the clear leader of C Grade, establishing an eight shot lead over his nearest grade competitor, Tim Newsome with a total of 177.  Tony Daly is next with 181. The leading scores in D Grade are very tight with both Robert Bell and Ricky Paxton both leading at this stage with 192. However lurking just behind them is Rod Ford on 193. It will be an interesting final two rounds with anyone of these three players in a strong position to win.

The final two rounds of the 2019 Championships will be decided this coming weekend and it would be a brave man to forecast who will take out the Championships.  However Matt McKee has a strong advantage and as anyone associated with golf will know, anything can happen in the game.

In the handicap scheme of things, the current leaders following the first two rounds are as follows. In A Grade Tim Bartlett leads with 143. In A Reserve, Rohan Ford (6) with 141 leads from Nick Fuller (7) with 142. Terry Bowe in B Grade (14) with 140 has a four shot lead over Kin Li (14) who currently sits on a nett score of 144. Allan Donaghey (16) with 137 has an eight shot lead over Tony Daly (18) on 145. With a nett score of 148, Robert Bell (22) has a two shot lead in D Grade from Bob Chapman (32) on 150 nett.

As part of last Saturday’s competition, the August monthly mug was held in conjunction, on this occasion sponsored by Craig Woods Plumbing. There would be no more popular winner of the mug than Tim Newsome (16) who with a great score of 67 nett was a clear winner, two shots ahead of his nearest competitor. Four players with a score of 69 had to settle for recognition of their efforts in the various grades. They include Rohan Ford (6) who took out A Grade on a c/b from Jim Lehn (9). Trevor Townsend (14) was awarded the win in B Grade with Allan Donaghey (16) claiming C Grade with his 69.  Runner-up to Trevor in B Grade was Ralf Zaffino (12) with Bill Dudgeon (18) named the r/up in C Grade with 71 nett. The D Grade winner was Chris Kelly (30) with 70 from Rod Ford (21) on 72. Two eagles were recorded on the day. On the 8th Bob Turns (18) was the star there with his second shot finding the cup. Alf Groves (16) recorded his eagle on the par 5 2nd hole. Winner of the Pro-pin was John Tracey (6) with pro balls going down to those good golfers with 74 nett or better. The hole-in-one jackpot did not go off and remains at $2000.

As all Grafton golfers would be aware, next Friday the McKimms Real Estate Pro Am is to be held with a nominated field of 66 golf Professionals taking part. To assist with the conduct of the Pro Am, our club professional, Mark Harvison is looking for members who can spare the time to act as spotters, which will no doubt assist the visiting professionals, as well as the huge contingent of amateurs taking their place alongside the professionals. If you can help, just contact Mark or Jo in the Pro-shop on 6642 5413.

This coming Saturday, being the third round of Championships, the Bank of Queensland will be the sponsor of the 18 hole daily competition, which is held in conjunction with the Championships. Although you are not competing in the Championships you are able to take advantage of being able to contest the daily competition which attracts its own prize for those competing.

Ray Hopwood