COUNTBACKS were needed to decide the winners in both A and B grades at Port Macquarie Golf Club on Saturday.
Playing in a single stableford for trophies donated by Onesteel, Mark Carter won A grade, John Magann B grade and Roger Salter C grade.
Carter (nine handicap) tied with Aidan Doyle (4) with 41 points, with Carter making 22 points on the back nine compared with 20 points on the back nine for Doyle.
Carter made a four-pointer and seven threes, and his round included birdies at the ninth and 17th holes.
Doyle shot a one under par 70 and he made three birdies - at the third, seventh and 17th holes.
Graeme Radley (12) took third place in A grade with 40 points.
It is often said that the par threes are the key to a round. Radley had two birdies, a par and a wipe at the four par threes.
Terry Jones took out the scratch score with 35 points.
In B grade, Magann (16) and Gordon Kitchener (16) each had 39 points. Magann had 19 out and 20 home, while Kitchener had his in the reverse order.
Kevin Cain (17) took third place in B grade with 38 points.
In C grade, Salter (21) made 38 points despite failing to score at both the seventh and 10th holes. He more than compensated however, with a 3/5 at the second hole. He had 21 out and 17 home.
Peter Irons (26) was the runner-up in C grade after he counted out Merv Mascord on 37 points.
Irons made 10 points from three consecutive holes on the back nine. He had 15 out and 22 home.
Mascord (19) had a very strong start with 19 points from the first seven holes. Despite making 2/4 at the 13th and 3/3 at the 16th, he could only manage 18 points from the last 11 holes.
It was pleasing to see Ron Warren back on the golf course, and it was particularly pleasing to hear of his good medical report. His return, after four months, was spectacular as he made 40 points from his seven handicap to get counted out for third place.
The CCR was 70 and 35 points were needed to win a ball in the ball competition.
The nearest-to-the-pins were won by Don McManus (120cm at the fifth), Jim Banks (129cm at the seventh), Mascord (145cm at the 13th) and Dave Heagney (109cm at the 16th).
Sunday's medley four-ball-best-ball stableford was won by Gay and Phil Dixon with 46 points from three pairs with 44 points.
Kim Gray and Elke Lappan won the countback for second, and Annette Jackson and John Morris were third.
The scratch score was won by Jeff Dudgeon and Garry Norman with an even par 36 points.
Forty-one points won a ball and the nearest-to-the-pins were won by Pat McKeown (86cm at the fifth), Jackson (283cm at the seventh), Noel Slattery (290cm at the 13th) and Norman (382cm at the 16th).