Saturday’s competition was a Stroke event, sponsored by Rob Allen Livestock Transport. Many of the 56 players were like runaway poddies as in every direction you looked miraculous scores were being made.

The A-Division winner admits that he had ‘one of those days’, but it was deserved. Scott Kirkman carded a nett 66 to finish two shots better than runner-up Dave Mylecharane on 68, and that by count back. Scotty was 1-over after the front-9 and felt in control with a birdie on the 10th. Dave had a 1-over on each nine, mixing birdies and bogeys, but could not match Scott on handicap.

The B-Division saw the resurgence of one of Forbes golfing’s true gentlemen. His health was in good order, while steady play with a few birdies gave Alby Callaghan a final score of 66 nett. Close behind, but in the same group (he is a walker not a carter), was Geoff Drane on 67 nett. 

In the A-division two-thirds of the players were on par or better, while in  B-division that was about a third. That is hot scoring!

The ball sweep went to 71 nett on countback, including those above plus: 67 – A Alley; 68 – P Nixon, F Donohue; 69 – P Barnes, D Culley, J Haley; 70 – T Callaghan, D Churchill; 71 – A Davies, M Watts. The visitors included Ray Beacroft (The Grange), making a welcome return, and Marty Woods (Orange). They produced a mixed bag.

The NTP’s went to: 1st – A Dukes, 18th – A Davies. Both got their 2’s, but Alf went two better scoring three in total. There were five 2’s in all, with the 1st missing out again.

On many occasions the golfing gods encourage the players by allowing good things to happen. Andrew House had three good things in one round. He chipped in twice then holed a monster putt on the 16th to get a good score.

Someone who did not have the same fortune was Bob Borger. Under the acute eye of the publicity officer, he missed a shortish putt on the 13th. A similar calamity befell Doug Churchill. 

In some cases the mechanical aids to golf did not last the distance. Craig Barrett’s cart died on the 17th, while Stubbie Collits’ mechanical aid worked too well. He struck his tee shot on the 18th with such venom that he was putting for a birdie, on the 9th green.

And what about the magician golfer? He was playing the 7th hole. He had three tee shots and finished the hole with a ‘birdie 4’. He managed that because his first two tee shots struck the wires, so he replayed those shots.

The Sunday Stableford Medley field was once again hit by the forecast heat. Ray Taylor won the day with 35 points, slightly ahead of Bruce Carpenter on 34, but alas no ball for him.

Here is the news: The condition of the course has improved over recent months and has held its own through the summer. To reflect this we shall be trialling a “Play the Lie” rule for February, to be applied to all men’s competitions, and likely for the Sunday Stableford Medley. The Sixes competition will retain its ‘Preferred Lie through the Green’ rule, the Ladies and Vets will make their own ruling.

All players are encouraged to participate positively in the trial, and to refer any comments on the success or otherwise to the Club Captain, Steve Grallelis. This ruling will be reviewed at the end of the month.

The playoff for the AAA Cup was completed on Sunday 15 Jan. Throughout the year points are awarded to place-getters for each of the main competition games. At the end of the year a playoff is held.

This year Andrew Dukes finished in top spot, showing the value of consistently high performances with a sprinkling of wins. His points total of 2996 was a healthy jump ahead of Peter Dawson (2401.5) and Lee Grierson (2263). Frank Hanns showed the value of consistency, finishing in 4th (2249).

The top-12 points scorers , or reserves, were drawn into groups to play over 18 holes. 

The scores ranged from nett 83 down to the winner’s score of nett 71. Phil Maher took 3rd spot on count back from Lee Grierson, Peter Dawson finished in 2nd spot and Andrew Dukes took top honours to cap off a very good year.

Best Overall Points Average went to Steven Betland (110.38) ahead of Andrew Dukes (103.31). And the prize for the Most Games Played went to Scott Kirkman (33) ahead of Bruce Squires (31).

There was some calamity in the playoff. Dan Bayley put his first two tee shots OB, starting his round with ‘8’ on the first. Shane Sallaway hit the best shot into the 18th all day, finishing less than 3-feet from the pin, but unfortunately could not claim the NTP in the Stableford Medley. 

The Pennants 2017 season starts on Feb 5th at Duntryleague. Team captains have been assigned and players will be contacted soon. 

A reminder that the Programme books should be available by the end of the month, grab a copy from the Pro Shop.

Has anybody seen the “missing object” mentioned last week? The Vets would dearly love to recover their annual “Forbes v Parkes Stirrers Spoon” award so that history can continue. Contact Beryl Roberts (6852 3473) or Jeff Haley (0427 200972).

It is crystal ball time: Saturday 21 Jan is the playing of the Deacon Dwyer 4BBB, long awaited by many. Thanks to our sponsors – Forbes Catering & Packaging and Shead & Nicholson. Sunday 22 is the regular Stableford Medley.

On Sat 28 Jan we have the second running of the Cahill Footwear sponsored Australian 2-club 2-person Ambrose. Sunday 29 Jan has the Stableford Medley.

Sat 4 Feb is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Egan’s Building supplies. This will be the first Mens comp under the ‘Play the Lie’ Trial. Sunday 5 Feb is a Stableford Medley and the first round of the CWDGA Pennants, being played at Duntryleague.

The ASI Capital sponsored Forbes Golf Club Summer Sixers competition had its 11th round last week. 

The best members nett scores were recorded by Sarah Black (Duffers) 29.5, Jeff Haley (Boys & Girls) 31, and Louise French (Daniel’s Team) on 31.5. The Non-member better players were: Brodie Hodges (Every Hole’s a Goal) and Vince Pout (F Troop) on 30, and Rachel Lawler (Kool Kats) on 32.5.

The scratch scores this week went to: Men – Peter Dawson and Dave Mylecharane with 38, and for the Ladies – Kerry Stirling with 45.

The best team score went to Boys & Girls with 99 total, helping them up the table. Again a couple of teams did not get sufficient scores in to register a result, but they should be in the swing soon.

Pool 1 results saw Parstime, Cobblers Crew, Boys & Girls and Coffee Club win. The best player in the pool was Jeff Haley, ahead of Terry Sharpe (32.5) and Barry Toole (33).

Pool 2 winners were Gunns Menswear, Niel’s CCC, Flip Floppers, while Bush Divas and Kool Kats had a draw. Flip Floppers scored the best with 102. The best players were Rachel Lawler, with Veronica Rebellata (Flip Floppers) and Jenny Fletcher (Flip Floppers) on 33.5.

Pool 3 winners were Grant Howell AE, F Troop, Duffers and LITT. The best of those were Duffers and LITT with 101. The best players were Sarah Black, Vince Pout and Don Ridley (LITT) on 33.

Pool 4 winners were South Leaders, Daniel’s Team, Misfires and Forbes Toyota. Here Misfires had the best score with 103. The best players were Brodie Hodges, Louise French, and Fred Collie (Back 9 Bandits) on 32.5.

Other ball winners were: Pool 1 – Robyn Toole, Barb Drabsch, Ron Morris, Phil Maher; Pool 2 – Doreen Barnes, Alison Hearn, Steve Grallelis, Carolyn Duncan; Pool 3 – Gary Johnston, Ed Burke, Sally Perry, Vince Aitken; Pool 4 – Steve Lewis, Rosie Johnston, Greg Hanns, Josh Coulthurst.

Pool1 are still led by Parstime but Boys & Girls have suddenly appeared on the scene. There has been no change in Pool 2 with Kool Kats, Bush Diva’s and Niel’s CCC in the top three.

In Pool 3 F Troop, Grant Howell’s AE and Roylance’s A1 are hotly pursued by Lost in the Trees. Platypi Players and Forbes Toyota have a good margin in Pool 4, with Daniels Team trying their best.

The course is great, and if you have plenty of drink on board the high temperatures should not be a problem. It may not help your score if you seek the shade from the trees all the time.