Men’s Golf
by Short Putt
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The $5500 Nissan Classic will be played on Saturday and Sunday. Last count had the field for both days just under 200 players. Vacancies are still available early and late it is hoped that a record number will be recorded by Sunday evening.
While a classic event, players, including ladies, must remember that this major event is for players from all grades plus juniors and vets.
While winning is a plus, those who grace the trophy table will be recipients of the best on offer over all grades so if thinking of playing this weekend contact the Pro Shop now on 6851 1554 to get your place in the field. You can nominate individually or in a group of four.
With so many visitors this year's field must rank as one of the best on record which is highlighted by our resident professional Daniel (Newton) who stated that 13 or more A Grade players are off handicaps of three or less.
One of the reasons for this is former club champion Danny Acret is bringing a team of pennant players from Penrith while further talents are coming from district clubs including Temora, Condobolin and Parkes.
It looks like our best in the Betland brothers, Peter Dawson, Shane Sallaway etc will have their work cut out for individual honours on Sunday.
The weekend program starts Friday with a welcome comp where post entries are welcome while Saturday will be the popular four-ball sponsored by the Forbes Services Club and Forbes Advocate.
Sunday will be the individual over all grades. The calcutta is on Saturday evening immediately after the last score cards are recorded. Last year was what is considered the first such calcutta for an amateur golfing event. Take the tip, buy a ticket in the calcutta and hope you draw a pairing then decide if you want to buy or sell. Either way you will be a winner but remember the winning purchaser last year pocketed just under $2000.
Also on Saturday evening John Betland and 'Didget' McAuliffe will have the barbie stoked selling a sausage sanger for a gold coin donation. Golfer or not, Saturday evening at the Golfie is recommended for a social event away from the norm.
While most of the money raised in the calcutta goes back into prize money, the committee of the classic is also selling tickets in a raffle of a $300 voucher to be spent at one of the classic sponsors.
Finally on the classic, Daniel still needs a couple more golf carts so if not playing or can help here please contact him ASAP on 6851 1554. You can be guaranteed carts will be well looked after.
Chairperson of the classic committee Randal Grayson said this week that once again sponsors have been fantastic in their support.
“Really, without them we don't have a classic and with so many visitors here for the weekend, some are arriving in time to play on Friday, what is generated on the golf course does in many ways go back into the community,”he said.
“It's a win, win situation. Golf wins, the town wins, and that is why we stage the tournament.
“We want visitors to go back home and to their clubs telling of a great time in Forbes and on the golf course.
“We invite everyone to the Golfie over the weekend to witness what I feel will be some of the best golf seen for many years and especially Saturday evening for the calcutta,” Randal added.
Weekend results: Fast greens with difficult pin placements, no preferred lies off the fairway, a course playing its full 6100 metres with tees of the back markers for the Monthly Medals and wind made for difficult conditions on Saturday as scores indicate.
Out of a field of 51 players only Todd Callaghan and Peter Dawson were able to break 80, and they only just did with 79 off the stick.
Scores in the 100 were more common with ten centuries posted as well a 18 scores in the 90's. Still, there were the usual tales of unusual feats on the course during drinks after play.
Best to keep them to a minimum but there is one that comes to mind and it again features the club's comic, Fred (brother to Brian) Collie in B Grade.
The 12th pin made for most of the comment after play and Fred featured best with five putts, and two of these went off the green. It made Michael Spice's day, he witnessed it all and had his best laugh for weeks.
We're not too sure why as he scored four putts before Fred attempted his first putt which by the way was for a birdie.
If you can't get a laugh out of Fred, your not human. Great company at all times.
Phil Duke who admitted before play that he was off his game went up a step to claim A grade with 73 nett (83 off the stick) after a four way count-back.
Runner-up was Todd from Peter Grayson (85) and Raymond Taylor (84).
In B Grade Paul Kay won with 72 nett (88 off the stick) on a count-back from Jeff House (87).
The club's gentleman Tom Edols led the C graders home with 73 nett (102) from Ron Morris who scored 75 nett (96).
Ball sweep winners, 72 nett, Paul Kay, Jeff House, 73 Scott Kirkman, Tom Edols, Andrew McDonald, Phil Duke, Todd Callaghan, Peter Grayson, Ray Taylor, 74, David Earl, 75 Mark Collits, Andrew Dukes, Paul Pymont, Garry Collits, Barry Parker and Ron Morris.
Nearest the pins, ninth Peter Dawson, 18th Ron Morris. Only nine played the medley on Sunday with Ron Morris edging out his mate Ray Taylor on a count-back after both scored 39 points. Nearest the pins, ninth Shane Sallaway, 18th Ray Taylor.
Scores this weekend are expected to improve considerably in all grades. Players, sure you read the board for local rules as some changes are being made. With a select few vacancies on the sheet for both Saturday and Sunday local players are urged to consider playing one or both days. The value is there, and with the $35 nomination on Sunday a served dinner awaits while the prizes on offer are amongst the best on offer across country NSW.
Ladies Golf
by Sally Crosby
November 5 an 18 Hole Stableford was played for the Special Xmas Cake donated by Jill Cripps and the lucky winner was Judy Hodge 36 points and Runner Up was Teresa Armitage on 34. NTP 9th Bess Shields, 18th Kerry Stirling.
The Silvers Team of eight Forbes Ladies who traveled to Dubbo on Friday 4 were outclassed by the Dubbo Girls who won easily from 8 teams from the Western Districts.
November 6 was much more fun at the Shootout at our local course. Played in the spirit of the game where one person is eliminated at each hole with no one wanting to be out on the first however Lyn Kennedy was brave in defeat. On the second it was Janet Smiths turn to bow out. The third Hole claimed Sarah Black who managed to chip out of the mud in the dam but still wasn't enough to stay in the game. The fourth Hole saw Doreen Barnes in the water. Jill Cripps found the trees on fifth and it was end for her. Jenny Fletcher who was playing beautifully found the pin setting on sixth impossible and said goodbye. By the seventh Hole the game was getting serious with only four competitors left, if only Ethel Coombs (last years winner)had not found the netting life could have been a lot different.
The eighth Hole claimed our Captain Kerry Stirling with a very short putt missing the cup. Left Standing on the last Hole was Robin Lyell and Teresa Armitage, both safely over the water it came down to the putter and Robins was running hot all day and finished with a Par which gave her the Silver bucket, gallant in defeat Teresa being the Runner Up. Thanks to the Sponsors Keven Miller Whitty and Lennon and Crosbys Angus Stud. Thank you to the helpers on the day.
November 9 a Stableford event sponsored by Alison Kingston, Goldie Ridley and Anne Reade was won by Barb Drabsch in Division One with Bess Shields being runner up. In Division Two Robin Lyell won on a count back from Janet Smith.
NTP ninth Enid Baker and 18th Barb Drabsch. Janet , Barb, Robin and Bess won the Sweep. On the same day was the Wellington Open Tournament with 60 Players starting with Teresa Armitage and Lyn Kennedy representing Forbes. Teresa won the C Grade and had the straightest drive with Lyn coming Runner Up.
They had an enjoyable day except they ended up very wet towards the end with heavy rain. Lets hope we have a fine two days coming up for the Nissan Classic.