Beginning on March 10 and running through  to March 17, the classic will host 366 visiting golfers on the three courses in Orange. It is the most popular vets’ golf event in the state. 

Later in the week, on Thursday the 13th, the presentation dinner will cater for 440 golfers and partners at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club.

Golfers from 83 clubs from Tweed Heads in the north to Howlong in southern NSW will participate. 

Clubs supplying the highest numbers of players include Nelson Bay 22, Nowra 21, Kogarah 19, Kareela 17, Belmont 16, Duntryleague 15, Wentworth 15, Bayview 14, Merewether 10, and Pennant Hills and Jambaroo eight.  

 The respective number of golfers in the various divisions for men and women are: division one - 64, 55; division two - 63, 56; and division 3 - 76, 52. 

The two male champions who have shared the last three classics, Alan Gordon (Ex-Services) and Stephen Bray (Wentworth), are defending their titles and will prove hard to beat again despite great competition from golfers from the other clubs.  

The lowest women’s handicappers are Belinda McKirdy (Kogarah), Peta Merchant (Nowra) and popular Duntryleague champion Val Pollack, all on a handicap of 13. Lindsay Barnes, from Blayney, is on 15 and there are six other ladies on 17.    

Registration will take place on Sunday, March 9 at Wentworth Golf Club from 2pm to 5pm with snacks, wine tasting and mementos for all players.

The men will play Duntryleague on Monday, March 10, Ex-Services on Tuesday, March 11 and Wentworth on Thursday, March 13.

The women will play Ex-Services, Wentworth and Duntryleague on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

On Friday, March 14, an 18-hole 4BBB medley stableford will be played at Duntryleague and Wentworth.

The sponsors that help present the classic include NAB,West Orange Motors, Angus and Coote, Scott Sharp IT, Orange Ex-Services’ Club, The Caleula Motel, Parkview Hotel, John Davis Motors, Orange Visitors Information Centre, Mitre 10, Windowrie Wines, Swinging Bridge Wines, G K Craig, Melville Greens Apartments, Colour City Caravan Park,  Alfio’s Pizzeria, Roberts Bakery, Hillside Orchard, D’Aquino’s Wines and the three golf clubs in Orange.