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Grafton to host Herron Cup

Next weekend we have one of the glamour golf events of the year, the 36 hole Herron Cup, will be held with players from all over NSW and Queensland taking part. Competition will be held over both Saturday and Sunday with big fields anticipated for both days. Co-sponsored by Coca Cola Amatil and New Oriental Chinese Restaurant, the event has been part of the local golf scene since the late 60’s and has the reputation of being one of the more prestigious tournaments open to players of all golfing ability, the Herron Cup being decided on handicap. For the really good players, the Grafton Bowl which is rewarded for the best gross score from the two day tournament, will be their goal. The only real playing condition that participants should be aware of is that to qualify for both the Herron Cup and Grafton Bowl you have to nominate and pay your competition fees for the 36 holes prior to hitting off on the Saturday. It will not be permissible to play on the Saturday, have a blinder than enter and play on the Sunday. However you can enter in either the Saturday or Sunday events as individual competition on both days. Only a limited number of vacancies remain in the starting field, particularly for Saturday, therefore it would be to your advantage to nominate as soon as possible to guarantee a place in that field. Sunday’s 18 holes will also incorporate the Grafton round of the annual Tooheys Shield, a inter-club competition between the Maclean, Iluka and Grafton Golf Clubs. Last Saturday almost 150 players took part in the Don Bellamy Memorial day, with trophies provided by Don’s family,Wendy, Jon and Mark Bellamy. The winners of the 2BBB event was the combination of Daniel Usher (24) and Nathan James (29) who recorded a outstanding score of 51 stableford points to easily win the competition. With a score of 49 points, Jason Casserly (10) together with the best 18 marker golfer in the world, Deano Hayes, claimed the first runner-up spot. Paul Grieve (9) and Virginia golfer, Billy Brown (20) achieved the second runner-up position with 48 points against their names. To win a pro-ball on the day you required a score of 41 points or better on a countback to feature. The Pro-pin on the Par 3 1st hole went to Bill Newman whose tee shot finished just 88cm from the cup. There was one eagle recorded on the day, and that was on the par 5 18th hole, achieved by Andrew Connor. Our appreciation to the Bellamy family for supporting this event and giving all Grafton golfers the opportunity to honour the popular and colourful late Don Bellamy in this manner. On the last two occasions that our Golf Professional was to host a golf manufacturers demonstration day, were washed out and had to be cancelled. Mark is trying his luck again in a couple of weeks, with two manufacturers putting on demonstration days. The first being the Taylormade organisation with their day scheduled for Monday 25th July between the hours of 10am and 1pm. They will be followed on Wednesday 27th July by the Ping organisation between the hours of 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Bookings for both days are not required just turn up and try out all the latest golf equipment on a non-obligation basis. For further details just contact Mark Harvison on 6642 5413. As mentioned in last weeks column, a rules night has been organised for Wednesday 20th July commencing at 6.30pm. The night is promoted by N.S.W. Golf and will be hosted by Grafton Golf Club. The course is scheduled to take approximately two and half hours and is open to all golfers, Men, Ladies, Juniors and Social golfers from all local Clubs. No bookings are necessary, just turn up. Those players who support mixed golf, your next opportunity to play mixed round of golf is Sunday 24th July at which time the 2016 Mixed Foursomes Championships will be held. The event is scheduled to be played over 27 holes. Defending Champions are Courtney Fuller and Paul Langford who will be trying to win the title for a third year in a row, recording scores of 122 in 2014 and 123 in 2015. They again would have to be considered outstanding favorites for the 2016 title. Nominations now open for this event. Regular Tuesday competition golfers are reminded that there will not be any golf for you next Tuesday as Grafton Golf Club will be hosting the ladies W.G.N.R. Tournament on that day. Normal Tuesday competition will resume the following week. Ray Hopwood