MEN’S GOLF
The Easter weekend beckoned all golfers with the promise of benign weather and comfortable conditions. And many golfers relished the conditions.
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Saturday was an Individual Stableford event. A healthy field of 52 players enjoyed the day, with most getting out early to get home before the Easter egg hunt had started.
The A-division winner was Rob Webb, one of the early starters. His 43 points was remarkable when you consider he had one ‘wipe’ hole, and the roller-coaster ride on his core card. Runner-up was Ray Taylor whose score of 42 points was the epitome of consistency. He scored on every hole and used his handicap holes to maximum benefit.
The B-division players seemed to find scoring a bit more difficult. Paul Kay played a game of steady improvement to score 36 points. Runner-up was Troy Howe who had flashes of brilliance among passages of lesser lights. Undoubtedly his no pointer on the 2nd hole cost him dearly.
The ball sweep went to 36 points on count back, going to those above plus: 39 – D Bayley, K Herbert, T Griffiths, P Dawson, J Haley; 38 – N McMillan, M Haley; 37 – S Hailstone, S Uphill; 72 – K Sanderson.
The NTPs went to: 9th – K Herbert; 18th – B Parker (again). Kim got his ‘2’ but Barry’s putter was a bit errant. There were only five 2’s scored, teetering on a return of less than 10 per cent.
The visitors included Steve Hailstone (Russell Vale), Digit McAuliffe (Nelson Bay) and Mike O’Malley (Federal). They had a mixed bag of results but all enjoyed the 19th.
Highest mention goes to the Uphill duo. On the 9th, Steve’s tee shot was lucky to make the green, but his putt from ‘downtown’ rocketed up the slope and bang straight into the hole. Ev Uphill was not to be outdone, sinking an equally difficult putt to rock their opponents out of their socks.
One group tried to re-design the course whilst playing. They were observed all teeing off from just short of the creek, making the 9th hole that much shorter. Then it was realised that three of the group had plonked into the water. I thought Geoff Drane had killed that demon?
Gordon Hurry also tried some re-engineering. His form has really improved and he was delighted to be putting for a birdie on the 18th. But the trouble was he was actually playing the 15th hole. He arrived on the 18th hole by a most adventurous route requiring four shots. After his next shot he was still on the 18th – he had dropped off, played the shot, hit a tree and rebounded onto the 18th green again.
Other players had troubles elsewhere. Stuart French managed two balls into the water on the 15th, as did Craig Barrett. For Craig this was his only stumbling block since the 8th hole tee shot. Nothing to say except that the players waiting by the 8th Ladies tee for Craig to play through were safe, even after his second shot, as he had not reached them yet.
The older fellows in the field are remarkable. This week Dave Williams’ motorised buggy made it all the way around. As too did Digit and Brian Doyle, who both walked the course. Unlike their younger opponents, King John and Ecky, who used a cart.
EASTER GOLF: On Easter Friday the golfers played a Stableford Medley. A small field played well, with Martin Woods taking the honours on 40 points and Shane Sallaway runner-up on 35 points. There was no balls weep, but NTPs went to – 9th: D Churchill; 18th: S Sallaway. No 2’s were scored.
Easter Sunday was quite busy on the course with many social players and a good group of comp players. Jill Cripps won the Stableford Medley with 38 points. Close behind was Bruce Carpenter on 37 points on count back. The ball sweep went to 37, with R Morris and R Cross (Wyong) collecting a ball. The NTPs went too – 9th: Sue Cross; 18th: nobody.
The visitors, Rob and Sue Cross from Wyong, and Bruce Tilley from Mudgee all scored well.
Easter Monday was again a good day. In the Stableford Medley Dave Mylecharane was well nourished with chocolate eggs to score 42 points. And even then he had a no-pointer on the 10th. Runner-up, and in the last group of the day, Andrew Dukes scored 40 points.
Andy was rested after his camping trip. He scored three birdies and an eagle on the front-9, mixing that with a ‘6’ and ‘7’ no-pointers, and yet still shot under par. His back-9 was easier to score – consistently straight down the score sheet.
The NTPs went to: 9th - P Dawson; 18th – B Drabsch. The ball sweep went to 35 points, going to those above plus: 38 – T West; 37 – P Dawson, G West, M Cahill; 36 – R Baker, B Everest; 35 – G Drane, M Browne.
NEWS: The Lachlan Valley District Men’s Pennants and Championships will be held this Sunday, April 23rd. All players are eligible to participate, with tee-off between 9 and 11 am. There are Teams and Individual events for Stableford and Stroke-play honours. We need as many as we can to give Forbes a real shot at winning honours.
The Vets ‘Week of Golf’ runs for May 8-12. Nominations must be in now, so do not leave it until the last minute to let the organisers know. The competition runs over 18, 36 and 54 holes with a 4BBB, but you do not need to play in everything. Just being there will be good.
Get geared up for the Forbes Open, scheduled for May 14. This will incorporate a Qualifying round for the NSW Open, from which the winner will gain a spot in the NSW Open field. The greens will be tip top by then. And once again the prizes will reflect the participation.
On Friday 19 May, we have the Legends Pro-Am. Once again this is well sponsored, with good support from Forbes Shire and other great sponsors. Ladies, Men and Juniors are encouraged to participate alongside some good Legends Professional golfers.
We need your names for the Wallace Cup. This is the Premier Match Play comp for the year, so please get your name on the list in the Pro Shop so we can commence battle. And do not forget the raffle Daniel is running to support Forbes Junior Golf. On offer is a set of clubs with golf bag.
You may be interested to know that a recent Bureau of Met report identified last summer as the hottest and driest on record. This has played havoc with turf management on golf courses and sports grounds. We have been lucky to have suffered less significant turf loss than other clubs, but there is still work to do. Help our course staff by repairing pitch marks on the greens, filling in your divots, and keeping your carts away from the greens. We want Forbes course to be at its best for the Open. Thanks to you all.
EVENTS: On Saturday we have the 4BBB Stableford Medley for the Hawke Trophy. April 23 we have the LVDGA Pennants and Championships and an 18-hole Stableford Medley (with a delayed tee-off).
April 29 is an 18-hole Stroke, sponsored by Patrick’s, with the Sunday Stableford Medley to follow. This is also the weekend for the Young Open.
May 6 we have the Monthly Medal, ahead of the Stableford Medley on May 7. These will be a good warm-up for the Vets ‘Week-of-Golf’.
LADIES GOLF
Last Wednesday April 12 a stableford competition was played for the Gotaluvit Trophy in two divisions. Division one is now 0-23 Handicap and the lucky winner was Judy Hodge with 30. In division two 23.1-45 was Teresa Armitage with 36 on a countback from Alison Kingston. The ball sweep went to Judy, Teresa and Alison. Nearest the pin on 9th was Teresa and 18th Judy.
The much anticipated match-up of teams-captain (Robin Lyell) verses the president (Colleen Venables) was held on Wednesday April 19 with 27 players teeing off. This Stable ford Competition was also an individual event in Two Divisions sponsored by Flannerys Pharmacy. Back in the Winners circle in Division One was Robyn Hammond with 36 on a Count back from Denise Squires who was the Runner Up. In Division Two Jill Morgan had 40 with Debbie Dingwall Runner Up on 36. Nearest the Pin 9th Sarah Black and 18th Fleur Wells. Ball Sweep went to Jill, Robyn, Denise, Debbie, Fleur and Kerry Stirling 33 on a count back. Congratulation to all the winner and the Captains Team won on 412 points from the President 410.
This Saturday is a 4 ball stableford medley and on Sunday West Wylong Tournament is on. Wednesday April 26 we will play for Esmees Coffee Shop Trophy in two divisions. It is cake day and a shotgun start so please arrive at 8.30am ready to hit off at 9am. Teresa Armitage is on cards.