News is pretty scarce once more this week with more rain falling last Wednesday thus preventing our bowlers from making it out onto the green for their bowls.  

Weather permitting, on Thursday, September 29, the Cannon Merritt Trophy will be played against Parkes at Forbes.

Selected to play are Margaret O’Connell, Glynes Ryan and Carmel Murray, Colleen Dean, Pam Stevens and Judy Girot,  Anne Nixon, Judy Kerr and Lyn Simmonds. 

Anyone who can’t play in this event is asked to let the Bowls Committee know as soon possible. Matches that were scheduled to be played last week will now be played tomorrow. They are: 

Major Fours: Marlene Kopp, Sandra Priest, Annette Tisdell, Leisa Burton  vs  Alison Cutcliffe, Pam Stevens, Pat Hodson, Anne Walker.

Veteran’s Singles: Jan Waugh versus Mary Everson (marker Carmel Murray), Judy Girot  versus Ann Mackay  (marker Noela Girot).

Social Bowls: names in by 9.30am for a 10am start.

Good bowling everyone.

Barb Hoswell

A good afternoon was had by all with lots of fun with our bowling. 

Wednesday game, winners for the day were Barb Hoswell, Vera McPetrie and Snow Sharman: two wins, one loss 29 points.

Runners up: Liz England, Doreen Whitworth and Joan Littlejohn two wins, one lose with 26 points. 

Encouragement award: Betty Rees, Pat McGrath and Doreen Rogers.

Everyone is welcome to play at the Youth and Community Centre on Wednesdays, names in by 1pm for 1.30pm start. 

Well wishes go out to anyone on the sick list, hoping you will be better very soon.

Monday, September 19 we played a five table Howell movement.

The winners were

On Thursday, September 22 numbers were well down owing to flooded roads etc., however we played a very much enjoyed three table Howell movement.

The winners were Goldie Ridley and Colleen Venables on 56.00 percent with Peter MacPhillamy and Louise Payne in second place on 53.00 percent and in equal third place on 52.00 percent were Geoff Coles and Judy Kerr and Helen Hurley and Marcia Slack-Smith.

 A reminder to all Members that our Annual General Meeting will be held following our play on Monday, October 10.

The Annual General Meeting set down for October 1 has been postponed till October 23. All Shooting has been cancelled until further notice on account of range flooding.

by Veva MacCullagh

Well with all this crazy weather we have been experiencing causing unknown flood heights around town, we have again postponed our AGM as well as the birthday lunch we had booked for today Tuesday.

It is bad luck as we have some VIP birthdays to celebrate, with some of our members turning 80, but we will get to do this again soon.

Our President John and wife might have to swim home or maybe get a lift home on one of the helicopters flying around. 

 Welcome back home to you both. There never a dull moment in Forbes.

Golf Croquet results, Tuesday 20

Bruce Field, Bill Scott 9 defeated Colleen Liebich, Merv Langfield 4, Libby Smart 8 defeated Lorraine Todd, Tony Thomson 5, Mary Hodges, Kath Broderick 8 defeated Nev Morrison, Veva MacCullagh 5, Marj Styles, Dorelle Scott 8 defeated Bob Murray, Robin Pols 5, John MacCullagh, Joan Littlejohn 8 defeated Alec Todd, Judith Lytton 5, Ken Styles, Dorothea Croker 9 defeated Carol Slattery, Evelyn Mahlo 4, Dorelle Scott, Veva MacCullagh 8 defeated Evelyn Mahlo, Colleen Liebich 5, Libby Smart, Ken Styles 7 defeated Mary Hodges, Merv Langfield 6, Bruce Field, Bob Murray 9 defeated Ken Styles, Lorraine Todd 4, Bill Scott, Joan Littlejohn 8 defeated Robin Pols, Judith Lytton 5, Dorothea Croker, Kath Broderick 7 defeated Nev Morrison 6, Tony Thomson, John MacCullagh 7 defeated Alec Todd, Carol Slattery 6, Dorelle Scott 7 defeated Ken Styles 6, Mary Hodges, Merv Langfield 8 defeated Marj Styles, Carol Slattery 5, Bob Murray, Evelyn Mahlo 7 defeated Kath Broderick, John MacCullagh 6, Kath Broderick, Joan Littlejohn 8 defeated Alec Todd, Bruce Field 5, Lorraine Todd, Tony Thomson 7 defeated Libby Smart, Colleen Liebich 6, Jane Hanbury, Veva MacCullagh 7 defeated Bill Scott, Nev Morrison 6,

Aussie results September 24

A beautiful sunny day today, Tony suggested we play an extra game in case we cannot get to play Tuesday with predicted flood heights our croquet lawns are supposed to go under water?

Joan Littlejohn, Alec Todd 14 defeated Libby Smart, Dorothea Croker 10, Bruce Field, Elizabeth McLean 14 defeated Doreen Rogers, Kath Broderick 10, Tony Thomson, Veva MacCullagh 14 defeated Lorraine Todd, Robin Pols 9, Collen Liebich, John MacCullagh 14 defeated Lorna Field, Bob Murray 13, Bruce Field, Libby Smart 14 defeated Robin Pols, Bob Murray 8, Joan Littlejohn, Lorraine Todd 14 defeated Doreen Rogers, Lorna Field 11, Alec Todd, John MacCullagh 14 defeated Kath Broderick, Colleen Liebich 12, Veva MacCullagh, Dorothea Croker 14 defeated Elizabeth McLean, Tony Thomson 10, Joan Littlejohn, John MacCullagh 14 defeated L9rraine Todd, Colleen Liebich 10, Tony Thomson, Veva MacCullagh 14 defeated Kath Broderick, Libby Smart 10, Robin Pols, Dorothea Croker 14 defeated Lorna Field, Bruce Field 11, Elizabeth McLean, Alec Todd 14 defeated Doreen Rogers, Bob Murray 10, Bob Murray, Veva MacCullagh 14 defeated John MacCullagh, Tony Thomson 10, Dorothea Croker, Bruce Field 14 defeated Lorraine Todd, Robin Pols 10, Alec Todd 14 defeated Kath Broderick, Lorna Field 12.

by Short Putts Mate.

Last Tuesday 12 brave Forbes veteran golfers hit the fairways despite a water logged course.

Competition over 12 holes was on the top side of the course with holes 10, 11, 12, 6, 7 and 15 played twice with tee up through the green.

As was the case a couple of months back the winner came down to a count-back between lefties, Barry Shine and Geoff Coles.

Barry won out with a slightly stronger finish after both recorded 28 points.

There will continue to be golf every Tuesday with tee off from 9.30am when the course is open and if need be a composite layout will be played.

With road closures threatening the 12 hole competition at Parkes on Thursday became a social round only with a few from Forbes joining their fellow golfers from Parkes.

No scores were recorded.

This week is the Parkes Vets Week of Golf with individual events today (Tuesday) and Thursday while Friday is a 4BBB medley. 

Tomorrow, their rest day, was to be golf here in Forbes but with the floods there will be no play. 

For more on the Parkes tournament phone Robert Lea on 0468 324 441.

As with all veteran events regular and new-comers are most welcome to play. 

After play recently Tom and Dick were having a schooner.

Tom said, “My wife is threatening to leave me if I don't give up golf.”

 “But that's awful,” replies Dick. “What are you going to do?”

Tom takes large swig of his beer, thoroughly swipes the froth from his top lip, sights and replies, “I'll miss her.”

Mens Golf: Players are advised that the Mens Committee AGM will be held at the FGA Golf House on Tuesday, October 4. Our primary purpose  is to elect a Men’s Captain.

Floods forced the Forbes Golf Club executive of 26 years ago to think of ways to keep the sport in Forbes growing, hence the foundation of the Classic tournament.

The current flood is similar and creating its share of problems especially as the Forbes Golfers Association.

The FGA has already been forced to cancel what was expected to be a major sporting event staged here in Forbes for leading country golfers .

Forbes was scheduled on October 8-9 to stage a NSW Open Qualifier but with major works expected after the weekend floods this has had to be cancelled.

With the Open Qualifier shelved all efforts will now be focused on having the course at its best for the 2016 $5500 Nissan Classic to be played Sunday November 14.

Saturday prior will give visiting players the chance to look over the course with a 4BBB scheduled.

FGA course curator Justin 'Jack' Clarke said on Friday he will be doing all possible to have the course in shape for the November Classic.

“We will certainly be looking for helpers once the floods resides, that's for sure,” he said.

“Anyone who wants to help will be most welcome, come for five minutes or five days, any help will be most appreciated.

“We want to have the course in shape for anyone looking forward to a game and of course in top condition for the Classic, and we will,” he added.

With several fairways and greens under water there will be a multitude of works to be undertaken from mowing to stick picking, raking up, cleaning and generally tidying the course.

“How long the course in under water will be a major factor on damage done,” Justin said.

“If the greens are under for a day or two that won't be too bad, any longer could cause problems. Regardless, by the time of the Classic with voluntary support we will be OK.

“It took a bit to prepare for the flood moving machinery to higher ground and lifting everything in the machinery shed but that will be nothing compared to what we will have once the flood moves on,” he said.

It has even been suggested if flood waters hang around longer then expected rules could be changed even to the extent of having tee-up through the green.

Prior to flooding the greens were looking their best for some time after major renovations. 

According the Justin a couple of weeks of sunshine is as vital as voluntary labour.

“My aim is to get members and all golfers out on the course as soon as possible, something which has been missing for a few weeks now,” he said.

Getting golfers out on the course is also the major aim of FGA president Andrew McDonald.

“Once conditions improve we hope to see plenty of rounds played, more golfers the better for us after the set-back of the past few weeks,” he said.

Andrew said he hoped to see as many as possible play in the Summer Sixes competition and both days over the weekend.

“Social play and two competition games a week will help us recover,” Andrew commented adding once dry and mowing started the course is expected to return to its natural state quickly.

“Our AGM is set for the end of October, we are confident we will continue to get strong support so we are very positive for the future of golf here in Forbes. Nothing has changed in our plans for the future,” he said.      

Followers of racing are eagerly watching flood levels as they prepare for the Forbes Jockey Club's Spring Race Meeting scheduled for Saturday October 8.

Tom Molloy, FJC vice-president and long time track curator said on Sunday a decision on the meeting will be made this week.

“At this stage (lunch time Sunday) there are a couple of patches on the track covered with water so it is wait and see what happens in the next couple of days,” he said.

“Its fingers crossed that we don't cop too much more (water) and the meeting can go ahead as it is getting better each year due to its 'picnic meeting atmosphere”.

Like all others community bodies in the flood line members of the FJC have prepared well with all equipment lifted above flood levels.

“All we can do now is sit and wait and hope that next weekend we can relay good news that the meeting is to go ahead.

“It is good for us and race followers so we do hope the meeting does go ahead as scheduled,” Tom added.