MEN'S GOLF
By SHORT PUTT
Once again the Saturday sunny weather greeted the golfers on the course and, again they were inspired to aim for a low score. There were the usual early morning starters with those in the Golfie hanging on to see the results of the later finishers.
Saturday’s competition was an Individual Stroke, sponsored by the Elders Rural Services.
The field of 48 players, which included three Juniors, was down a bit due to the Rugby Union President's Lunch but that did not reduce the level of competitiveness among those who played.
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The Div-1 winner was Clayton Alley with 71 nett. He had a mixed front-9 with pars and bogeys peppering the score card, but luckily there were no double-bogeys. He commenced the back-9 well having warmed up and produced more pars than bogeys to record a better score than the front-9.
The runner-up was Todd Callaghan with 72 nett. He did not have a promising start with bogey-bogey but he steadied to record a few pars, bogeys and a birdie on the 7th. His back-9 was much better although a double-bogey on the 14th jolted him into a birdie on the 15th and a succession of pars all the way home that culminated in a 37 scratch.
The Div-2 was won by Peter Barnes in what can only be described as a hot-shot round. His nett 69 was the best of the day but looked most unlikely after a double-bogey start. But he steadied to turn at only 5-over, helped by a birdie on the 7th.
The back-9 produced steadier scores with an unfortunate double-bogey on the 17th but still left him with a more than competitive score.
Runner-up was Jon Cutler who maintained his up-down progress from month to month.
No Medal for him this week but a very tidy score of nett 71 where he played the front-9 under his handicap. The back-9 started in a similar fashion but a lack of concentration through the middle made him re-group and finish well.
The ball sweep went to 75 nett, going to: 72 – C Banks; 73 – P Dawson; 74 – B Parker, J Pendleton, G Hooper, T Griffiths, S Kirkman, M Duke; 75 – NJ Morrison, P Maher, J Roylance, W Judge. The only visitor in the field was Andy Iggo (Manly GC) who struggled a bit and was among those to ‘raise their bat’.
The NTP’s went to: 9th – J Pendleton; 18th – D Rhodes. They both converted for 2’s. Both players were in the first few groups of the day which meant it was tough for any following players to better them. The only other ‘2’ was on the 18th where Barry Parker slotted his putt to wipe out the horror of the previous four holes.
The 3rd hole Super-Pin was taken by Andrew Dukes playing in the last group of the day. His shot finished 238 cm adrift from the hole but bettered the previous best of 552 cm scored by Peter Barnes who played much earlier in the day.
Undoubtedly the recent greens renovation work did affect the scores, with coring, sanding and scarification resulting in some unexpected bounces. But if you put the ball close enough to the hole then the score was definitely there to be had.
No doubt there will be many stories told of putts heading towards the hole but veering away thanks to the surface conditions. But if the putts were short they were never going to go in any way.
From tee to green there were some exciting times. Peter Barnes was unerringly long all day and managed to avoid trouble. Alongside him Ken Sanderson was impeccable in both attire and tee shots. A ‘TracerTrack’ was no use to watch Ken’s game as his shots were dead straight all day.
Todd Callaghan played steady, inspired by steady golf from the current Club Champion Ecky Dawson alongside him. Ecky showed his class recording the best Scratch score of the day (73) and shot under par for the front-9 thanks to an eagle on the 6th and a birdie on the 8th. Just imagine the frustration he felt after carding a double-bogey on the 7th.
One person managed to side-step the greens surface issue by chipping in. Terry Griffiths managed this on the 16th and was doubly pleased to hear both congratulations from all in the group and also that this assured a win for the Keno ticket.
Many golfers have very good imagination when it comes to deciding on how to play a shot, and many more cast aside the tried and proven methodologies presented in golf coaching textbooks. The approach to course management is similarly variable.
One player decided that the ‘straight down the fairway’ approach for the 11th hole was boring. Instead he used rebounds off the trees to derive a near impossible stance hard against the OB fence on the 7th fairway. After a couple of air swings he did make contact and eventually finished with less than double figures on that hole – just!
There was no play in the Sunday Stableford Medley.
Here is the news:
There is some very special sporting talent within the Forbes community, with individuals receiving accolades in rugby league, cricket, tennis, motorcycling and many more.
Recently Paul Kay, a past member of the Australian Socceroos team, received recognition of his participation at International Level when during the recent Socceroos game against Indonesia he attended a special presentation to honour his service.
He was joined by his family at the event. We acknowledge his modesty in this accolade and congratulate him.
The Wallace Cup nomination sheet is filling up thanks to the nominations being made. The draw will be made in April with play commencing in May, after we get through the Mens Open busy period.
The Forbes Vets ‘Week of Golf’ is being held from 5 – 9 May. Nominations are now called for with very few to date being received from local players. Nomination forms are available in the Pro Shop, from Vets Secretary (Beryl) and from the Forbes GC website. Numbers are definitely needed to ensure the continued success of this event and to assist in organising for the Dinner and other activities.
Also a reminder for the Forbes Mens Open (April 27) with nominations opening on 1 April and the Forbes Ladies Open (May 4).
It is crystal ball time:
This Saturday, 29 Mar, will be an 18-Hole Individual Stableford event, sponsored by Forbes Holiday Park. Sunday has a Stableford Medley comp.
SUMMER SIXERS
By SMOOTH SWINGER
The second week of the Forbes Golf Club Summer Sixers competition finals saw some low scores posted by those teams determined to make the Grand Final. And there were some surprise results.
Unfortunately, a couple of the top seeds in the Main Draw have been knocked out. Murray’s Mates (102.5) who topped Gp 3 went down to Southside Swingers (97.5), while the closest match of the week saw Still Trying (97.5) defeat Gr 4 Winners Sand Baggers (98.5).
In the Plate Draw we say goodbye to Top 5 (101.5 - Gp 4) who were beaten by Part Time Putters (99.5). Also going is Walkers AgnVet (Gp 2) who lost to The Foxes.
Other teams to depart are: Gp 1 – Bogey Boys (107) beaten by Globe Hotel (99.5) and Gp 2 – Flip Floppers beaten by Forbes Auto on count back when both finished on 106.5.
The best team score of 97.5 this week was shared by Southside Swingers and Still Trying. A tremendous effort by both teams.
The finals Week 2 best member nett score was made by Mandy Tooth (Part Time Putters) with 29. The best non-member nett score was made by Isac Stewart (Southside Swingers) with 30.5 nett.
The ball sweep went to 34 nett.
For the preliminary finals (Wk 3) the Main Draw is – Blackridge Hire v Globe Hotel, Gunn Golf v Forbes Auto, LIV v Southside Swingers and Six Appeal v Still Trying.
In the Plate Draw we have – Duffers v Elders Insurance, EHAG v Foxes, Midpro v LITT and Up To Par v Part Time Putters.
The Main Draw winners will go into the grand final on Sunday 6 April, while the Plate Winners will play off through the week with scores to be entered before 5 pm on Sunday 6 April.
All players are reminded that the presentation dinner is on Sunday 6 April. Please put their names and guest numbers forward at the Pro Shop to aid in catering.
Good luck to all those still in the contest.
VETS GOLF
Host club Parkes survived a blanket finish to win the Coles/Miller shield at last week's monthly Lachlan Valley veterans golf competition.
Decided on the best three individual scores from each club, Parkes finished with 109 points to win by one from equal runners-up Forbes and Grenfell.
Forty-three players from Parkes, Forbes, West Wyalong, Grenfell and Condobolin contested the event with Grenfell's Barry Green and Gordon Pritchard from Parkes the A and B grade winners respectively.
Green posted 39 points to win by two from Bogan Gate's Don McKeowen, while Pritchard's 40 points will have the handicapper knocking, finishing four better than runner-up Paul Gavin (36 points) from Grenfell.
In the nearest-to-pins Steven Uphill (Forbes) and Paul Gavin were the A and B grade winners on the fourth hole, while Parkes veterans president Peter Bristol was on target to take A grade honors on the 11th and John Milton (Forbes) the B grade winner.
The encouragement award winner was Leanne Young from Grenfell.
The ball sweep went to 34 points with recipients as follows: 36 - Ken Sanderson (F); 35 - Alf Davies (F), Greg Nagle (Condo), Andy Taylor (West Wyalong) and Peter Bristol; 34 - Peter Barnes, Ken Walton and Allan Rees (F) and Joe Davies (P).
This week the twin-towns competition returns with Forbes the host club. Nominations from 8.15am for a 9am start.
Last Tuesday morning 10 starters for the 12 hole comp were Neil Herbert proved best with 29 points but only just, on a count-back from a ‘back in form’ Peter Barnes.
As usual, Tuesday ball toss at 8.30am, ‘comp fee’ only $3. Everyone invited to play.
LADIES GOLF
Numbers were down a little last Wednesday with 8 ladies attending a Veteran’s Tournament in Taree. There were some scorching scores for those who played in the Stableford event sponsored by News on Rankin. Robin Lyell maintained her good form of recent weeks with 40 points to win Division 1. Sarah Black was not far behind with 38 points to win Division 2. Both played some excellent golf. Balls went to Sally Perry who is back as consistent as ever from a three month, enforced layoff and Jenny Fletcher. NTP’s went to Jenny Fletcher on the 9th and Heather Davidson on the 18th.
Last Saturday the Stableford event was sponsored by Forbes Boat and Car Wash in 2 Divisions. Winner of division 1 was Sally Crosby with a well compiled 39 points. Division 2 was won by Ann Simmons who is making a return to golf after quite a while out of the game with 35 points. Ball sweep went to Jenny Hubbard. NTP’s went to Robin Lyell on the 9th and Rose Carroll on the 18th. Super pin went to Andrew Dukes.
Thankyou to our sponsors and well done to the winners.
The ladies who went to Taree had a great time. They said the course was great although quite undulating making it a bit tough for those who are not use to playing balls above or below their feet. It was a two day tournament with a 4 ball comp on the Monday and an Individual event on the Tuesday. As Monday was St Patrick’s Day the dress up theme was St Patrick’s Day. Our girls did us proud with all 8 players looking fantastic. Ann-Maree Gaffney and Lindy Cowhan won the overall best dressed.
Saturday’s Fourball saw Kerry Stirling and Debbie Dingwall take out 2nd place in Division 2 with 38 points and Ann-Maree Gaffney and Lindy Cowhan taking out 5th place with 37 points. On Tuesday Ann-Maree Gaffney came 3rd in division 2 Stableford and was NTP on the 14th hole. Ann-Maree finished off a great couple of day also winning 3 raffle prizes. Rose, Sally, Lindy, Jenny and Debbie also picking up prizes in the raffle. Well done ladies.
This Saturday is an Individual Stableford sponsored by Isabel’s Place in one Division.
Wednesday April 2 is a Stroke Event. Golf NSW Medal and Veteran’s Country Championships as well as a Dropout Stableford for those who don’t fancy playing stroke. Sponsor is D & A Car Detailing.
Sunday March 30 is the Parkes Ladies Open.
