Gloucester delivered another fine start to the 15th annual Veterans’ Week of Golf with sunny blue skies.
Players from around the State converged on Gloucester Country Club to take part in the competition with some arriving in time to take part in the Mixed Classic prior to the week.
Gloucester’s Ladies Golf group organised the classic event to run on the Sunday (May 27) as a kick-off for the week of golf. It was an opportunity to have players coming in for the veterans week to also take part in the classic.
By Monday (May 28), the main event was underway with 75 competitors teeing off.
Gloucester’s Veteran Golf Club hosted the event which runs a stableford competition on the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with a fun Friday ambrose format.
During the stableford, players’ scores work on a point system based on their individual handicap, with a daily competition as well as a running tally for the overall winners.
Gloucester players can sometimes be seen having a social hit during the event, however they are not up for the competition titles as they are hosting the event.
Some get out to play during the week to help keep the numbers balanced, filling in when needed. On Tuesday (May 29), it was tournament director, Bill Murray’s turn to see what score he could finish the day on.
Wednesday (May 30) was a day off for players, with organisers encouraging them to explore the Gloucester area, and give a little back to the many local businesses who sponsored the event. It’s just as well players had the Wednesday off, as it gave way for a little bit of much needed rain on the greenway.
Other veteran golfers could be seen volunteering at various locations around the golf course, some like Ken Cross and Keith Whitby who were set up as spotters, watching for the balls after being tee’d off to help the players find them or collecting rouge balls that find their way off course.
Some volunteers, like Bruce Fraser and Ian Maggs could been seen cooking at the hot dog snack area set up on the course for players to grab a quick bite to eat during the day.
It was the first time the members had tried this approach for lunch, in the past they had called the players in for a sit down meal at lunchtime, but they thought this would help the day run a bit smoother.
Gloucester’s Veteran Week of Golf is part of a series of events in the NSW Veteran Golf annual program, which can see keen players travelling for weeks at a time from event to event.
Tournament registrar, Peter Buettel said a group of around 30 Gloucester players do a tour of golf each year, travelling to a few different courses over a three day period.
They also have an annual event against Harrington Waters called, “The Water Bucket Tournament”, where each club plays on each other’s course and the winner takes all.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
