GOLF
EVERYTHING is in place for the staging of the sixth annual City of Orange Veterans Golf Classic.
The tournament, played on all three Orange courses, will be played over four days between March 17 and 21 which will also coincide with Seniors Week.
The committee has accepted entries from 350-plus veteran golfers, comprising 150 ladies and just over 200 men from 95 different golf clubs scattered across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
The classic, played in three grades, has drawn golfers with a wide skill range varying from five handicaps to the maximum allowable.
Earl Golding, from the Richmond club, is the lowest handicapper off five, but with no less than 14 single figure golfers entered, including four players off six handicap - among these Wentworth's David Wright - competition is sure to be fierce.
Among the 350 participating golfers will be a sprinkling of former winners, including last year's Yamaha trophy winner Sal Egea, ladies 54 hole open winner Win Hill, ladies and 54 hole division one winner Marian Gardoll.
Among the men's winners returning this year will be 54 hole scratch winner Bob Paton from Mona Vale, Bruce Lumley from Coffs Harbour and former Orange golfer Les Wren now living in Wauchope.
The Classic, sponsored by West Orange Motors, Orange City Council and other local businesses, will host a presentation dinner dance on Thursday evening for some 400 guests at Orange Ex-Services Club.
The week will wind up on Friday with a four ball medley to be played at Duntryleague and Wentworth clubs.
The program is:
The ladies play Ex-Services on Monday, while the men take to the fairways of Duntryleague.
On Tuesday the men move to Ex-Services and the ladies play at Wentworth. Wednesday is a rest day, giving the 280 visitors a chance to rest up or take in the sites of our beautiful district.
Thursday's action will see the men at Wentworth and the ladies at Duntryleague.
Friday is an opportunity for a more social occasion, with an 18 hole medley to be played at Duntryleague and Wentworth courses.
