Jacaranda Open
One of the feature events of the Grafton District Golf Clubs annual golfing programme was held last weekend. That being the men’s open 36 hole Jacaranda Open which attracted near record fields on both days with Clubs represented from all over Northern NSW and Queensland as well as a large contingent from Armidale. On Saturday there were 141 starters and that was backed up on Sunday with another strong field of 94 starters.
Continuing on with his great year of golf, including the 2023 Club Championships, Jackson Wright, playing off a scratch handicap was the winner of the scratch competition with rounds of 70 and 72 to claim the Jacaranda Cup, his name now goes on the trophy, which reveals a host of previous Grafton golfers who have won the event, also including the 1973 winner of the Cup, Greg Norman, who at this time was representing the Virginia Golf Club and we all know how his golf career progressed from that time. Runner-up to Jackson was Matt McKee (+1) with rounds of 73 and 74 against his name.
Despite winning the event on the previous Saturday and losing four shots off his handicap, there was no stopping Dean Hayes (16) in the handicap component of the tournament with net score of 64 and 70 (total 138). Dean was followed by Kingsley Smith (9) with 141 and Neil Hayward (19) with 142. Due to the large number of trophies awarded over the weekend it is impossible to recognize all the various winners over the two days in this column. For a complete list of all those winners, refer to the official results list in the Club as well as the results board.
Australian Par 3 Championships
Following the intervention of the Covid 19 period, the Australian Par 3 Championship, promoted by Grafton Rotary Club and hosted by the Grafton Golf Club, is all set to resume on Sunday 19th November. The Grafton Rotary Club has been associated with the Grafton Golf Club in the promotion of charity events for more years that can be remembered and this particular event for the past six or seven years. Representing the Rotary Club, Chris Wheelahan, advises that the event is open to both golfer and non-golfers with two divisions, one for the serious for which there will be a gross and net event over 18 holes and a 9 hole 4 person Ambrose event on the back 9 for all the remaining golfers. The course itself will be set up as 18 par 3 holes, which will contain some very testing challengers as well as some fun holes. The entry fee, which includes green fees will be $40 for the 18 holes and $30 for the Ambrose event. An appropriate time sheet is available in the Pro shop, you can either nominate in the Pro shop or call Mark Harvison on 66425413 to register your entry. Should you need to hire a buggy, make that arrangement as well through the Pro shop. A feature of the Par 3 Championship which the Rotary is more than proud to announce is the $10,000 prize on offer for a hole-in-one on the 18th hole for the first one who can achieve that feat in the ordinary course of play on the day. This exciting addition to the event has been made possible by the very generous sponsorship of Jacaranda laundry. Grafton Rotary are also very grateful for the support of the competition for the many other sponsors associated with them in the promotion and ultimate success of the Championships.
Annual General Meeting
Members, please note there is a change in the date for the Club’s Annual General Meeting which will now be held on Monday 11th December 2023 commencing at 5.30pm. A copy of the Annual report and balance sheet can be obtained upon request of the office or by downloading from the Website after 20th November next. Nominations for the various Boar of Directors positions are also now open and will close on Sunday 3rd December 2023 at 6pm. Those appropriate nomination forms are available in the Club house.
Ray Hopwood
0408 431 343
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