Faced with a tough shot into the par-3 18th hole on Saturday during the stableford event, the 27-marker rose to the occasion and coaxed his ball into the hole, situated short at the front part of the green.

While the man himself has missed some golf in recent times because of a health issue, his first ace will no doubt be something to cherish.

Despite scoring 1/5 stableford points on the hole, Stratford laboured to finish with 29 points overall from his 27 handicap.

This was well behind the C-grade winner Des Sandberg who made a mockery of his 27 handicap to post an imposing card of 43 points.

Just one behind was John Reynolds with 42 off 24. In a competitive grade, not far behind were Bill Latta and Carl Young (41), Rod Firth, Michael Dempsey and Barry McGee (40) and Ron Eveleigh and Corey Williams (39).

Meanwhile, a three-way countback was needed to find the winner in A-grade with Graeme Jameson getting the nod with 41 points from Oscar Koch (2nd) and Pat Caton.

Leigh Wilcox had 40 while the 39 brigade comprised John Espert, David Ringland, Geoff Stephens, Phil Munro, Peter Ipkendanz and Martin Bourke.

The unfortunate player in A-grade was this year’s B-grade club champion James Wheeler who signed for an incorrect scorecard after having a great one-over-par round of 72 for something like 45 points.

B-grade was more clear-cut with Henry Jom handing in a consistent card of 21-21 for 42 points.

Todd Richards gained second trophy on a countback from Barry Hildebrandt with 40 with Richie Richardson, Tony McNaught, Jeff Wright and Graeme Brown on 39.

For the golf balls in grades A-B-C, the cuts were 39, 38 and 39 after countbacks.