The Elks played in the top grade last season and finished as wooden spooners while Guyra were undefeated in second grade until the grand final where they were pipped by St Albert’s College. 

Glen Innes coach and vice-president Sam Price said it was Guyra who initiated the merger and both clubs believed it would be best for the sport. 

"We played first grade the last two years with relatively little success so it was something they thought was a good idea and we agreed,” Price said 

"We had already had put to the zone that we weren't going to be competitive in first grade so we were only going to play second grade. 

"When Guyra approached us we thought it was a really good opportunity for both the clubs to step forward and put a competitive first and second grade team to help the zone out as well as help the clubs out in the future.”

The Ghosts only came back into the competition last year and were reluctant to make the step up to the top grade. 

"I think some of the boys from last year are pretty keen to go around again,” he said. 

Make up of teams is yet to be determined with Glen Innes holding their first training session on Wednesday.

Guyra will commence training at the beginning of February. 

Both clubs will then move into Tuesday and Thursday sessions with one combined session a week. 

The club will enter both a women’s and men’s side in the Inverell Sevens competition. 

Sunday the 29th of January saw a single stableford played for a Club trophy. The winner was D Towells on a count back from W McCowen, with 41 points each. Nearest the pins went to D Towells on the 7th and S Mendes on the 10th and the 18th.

Club Championships start on the 11th of February. Country Fresh Bakery will sponsor Saturday the 11th of February. Guyra Fourways will sponsor Sunday the 12th of February. Guyra Smash Repairs and Guyra Mechanical will sponsor Saturday the18th of February and Kirks IGA will sponsor Sunday the 19th of February. Guyra Fuels are our major sponsors. Mid-week Golf. The best performed team this week was Hillbillies and Plus Fours with 64 points. Guyra Greys scored 62 points and the Baldersleigh Bashers scored 61 points. The best individual score was 20 points by H Raper. 18 points were scored by P Grills and J Shiels. 17 points were scored by P Mulligan, J Waters and N Paine. 16 points were scored by S Youman, P White and J Prisk.

On Tuesday, a great field of 25 Vets hit off to play an Individual Stableford Event. We welcomed Reg Davidson from Aberdeen and John Ferris from Goulburn and it was good to see Peter Brazier back playing with the Vets.

The winner of the day was Ian Taylor with a good score of 39 points and  Paul Redden was the runner-up with 38. Reg Davidson and John Cummings were the best putters with 25 putts.

Nearest the pins were won by Terry Varley on the 7th, Nancy Prisk the 9th, John Prisk the 10th and Pat Grills the 18th.

The Vets were very excited to win The Sporting Team of the Year at our annual Australia Day Awards. The list of the Vets' achievements is very impressive. We have constantly helped to maintain the course, have provided buggy sheds and toilets on the course and have supported local charities. 

Thanks must also go to the four Vets who cleaned up the debris caused by the mini-tornado that ripped through the front 9.

Next Tuesday, 7th February, we will traveling to Armidale to play the first Pennants game for this year. We have a formidable team of about 26 players. We have won the Pennants the last two years, so we are going for a hatrick!! There will be a 9 o'clock shotgun start. Don't forget our Open days are the 6th and 7th March.

Glen Innes will be hosting their Open Day on February, 21st. It would be good if we could support their day as the Glen golfers are regular players at our Open Days.

Tuesday, 14th February will be a stroke event for the Reg Taylor Shield with a barbecue afterwards.

Saturday January 28: Dan Kennedy (-8) played Robert Moore (-I) in Handicap Singles. Dan had to give Robert 7 shots start and found he was unable to close the gap, Robert went on to take the win 31 shots to 22 shots over 40 ends. Also in Handicap Singles Cameron Peardon (+3) played Bill Betts (+8) Cameron proved to consistent for Bill and went on to win the game 31. shots to 1.6 shots over 25 ends. Sunday January 29: in an Open Singles game Cameron Peardon played John Hamel with Cameron carrying his Saturday form to Sunday he went on to win 31 shots to 20 shots over 32 ends. The other game was a Handicap Singles game between Wayne Reeves (+6) and Steven Sole (-8), with a 1.4 shot start Wayne was sure to give Steven a strong game, however Steven proved to consistent for Wayne and went on to win 31 shots to 21 shots over 33 Ends. Club Championships set down for weekend February 4& 5 Saturday February 4, Start 1pm. Starter and Umpire: David Wilcox. Major Singles: Scott Campbell to play David Wilcox marker Col Stanley. Barry Presnell to play Andrew Sparke marker Steven Sole. Robert Moore to play Dan Kennedy, marker Robert Walls Handicap Singles: Barry Campbell to play Geoff Reeves marker Roger Cox. If you can’t play on the day, set down could you and your opposition please try and arrange to play on an alternative date preferably the next day, if not contact the match committee.