THE City of Orange Veterans Golf Classic is one of the top events on the NSW Veteran Golfers Association calendar – just ask NSWVGA vice-president Les Mann.

Mann said he has lost count how many times he has contested the Orange event.

This year he has come to Orange with a group of golfers from Macarthur including Jim Duguid and John Fogarty.

The Orange event is just one event in 44 weeks of golf on the NSW Veterans calendar.

“This one is up at the top of the list,” he said. “The reputation is by word of mouth.

“It goes back to Harold Percival and the way he set it all up.

“One of the benefits of Orange is that even though Harold Percival has stepped away, there is still enough people willing to do the work.”

Duguid and Fogarty said they enjoyed coming to Orange because the city boasts three courses but also because of the relaxed social atmosphere.

The golf is competitive...at times. “There’s two levels,” Mann said. “The real good ones and us,” Duguid laughed.

Mann has been involved with the NSW Veterans for about 10 years and enjoys the challenge of looking after 14,000 members.

Ian Fillery is leading the men’s A grade scratch standings after the first day’s play at Duntryleague with his round of 79.

Today the men will play their second round at Ex-Services and the women will tee off at Wentworth.