Saturday had the first round, which produced some remarkable scores. At the end of the day it was the Dynamic Duo of Peter Dawson and Dan Bayley who held top spot for the Scratch score. Their 74 did not include any birdies, and they were disappointed with a ‘7’ on the 11th hole. The most favoured pairing of Steve Betland and Mark Collits were runners-up, some three points adrift on 77.

The Handicap leaders were a couple of gents who know the course well. Scott Kirkman and Ron Morris seemed to do everything right when it mattered, finishing with Nett 69.5, and holding the lead on count back from the Dynamic Duo, who were giving them 13 points head start.

The Saturday ball sweep went to 74 nett, going to: 69.5 – Kirkman/Morris, Dawson/Bayley; 73 – Newport/Bown; 73.5 – Byrne/Culley;  74 – Griffiths/Churchill, Carpenter/N McMillan, Collie/Watts.

The NTP’s went to: Ninth – J Betland; 18th – M Collits. John’s partner, Ray T, got their ‘2’, but Steve Betland could not provide the icing for Mark. Other 2’s were on the third (Freddie!), ninth and first, for which the putter was not needed by Graham Newport. This format seems to create so many situations for different pairings. While the Dynamic Duo had very little trouble, others seemed to be handed it on a plate.

Handicap leaders, Scotty and Ron, could have been so much better if they had not put their tee shot on the ninth into the water. They did still manage a par with the second ball. On the same hole Geoff Drane steered his ball cleanly through the trees, and onto the roadway. From there they managed to do everything wrong for a ‘5’.

Phil Maher and Andy Cogswell did not start well, dropping shots like breadcrumbs. They steadied on the fifth then with a good drive on the sixth from Phil they thought their luck had changed. Andy put the next shot OB, followed by Phil with an OB. Andy snuck a ball down towards the green and Phil chipped in for ‘7’.

The seventh started with an OB for them, and the woes returned. But then again, Phil used his 5-iron magnificently on many an occasion. He either struck the pin with his shot or skipped over the hole. They were looking to break 100 with a good score on the 18th, but a duffed chip (not Phil’s 5-iron) and two putts scuttled that thought.

Some players of high calibre do have their off-days. Andrew Dukes and Shane Sallaway played four shots down the 11th and never once left the trees. What they would have given for an Ace this week. Sometimes the pressure gets too much. To do well for your partner, and the disappointment is when things do not work well. Geoff Drane wanted a good tee shot down the 15th for partner Alby. Alas his tee shot found the trees, and his club found the fairway some distance ahead of him. He loosened his grip at the wrong moment I am told.

Some tee shots were quite bad. The first saw players barely make the end of the mesh fence, while others put their partners into the Oleander bush. Perhaps they could take a lesson from Greg Webb.

Greg was playing a social round, trying to do well to get a promising handicap. His second shot on the fourth sailed towards the water, and drifted slightly right. It hit the top of the side rail on the edge of the bridge and bounced back towards the green. That is a good way to avoid the water.

On Sunday the second round of the Foursomes was played. Meant to be moving day, the surviving 20 pairings did move, but unfortunately it was backwards. Generally, the scores were worse than Saturday, with only a few exceptions. 

The day two scratch winners were the same as day one. Dawson/Bayley were one shot worse to record a 75. But they stayed ahead of Betland/Collits who managed a 76, which was one better than Saturday. The real hot-shots were Linden Byrne and Denis Culley, who managed to win the Handicap for the day. Their 66.5 Nett was three shots better than runners-up Stuart French and Tony Cogswell on 68, and seven shots better than Saturday.

The ball sweep went to75 nett, going to: 66.5 – Byrne/Culley; 68 – French/T Cogswell; 70.5 – Dawson/Bayley; 73.5 – S Betland/Collits; 74 – Morgan/Slack-Smith; 75 – Bown/Newport.

The NTP’s went to: Ninth – D Bayley, 18th – S Betland. Neither got their 2’s. In fact, there were only two scored. One was by Griffiths/Churchill on the ninth, and one by McAuliffe/Doyle on the 18th. It was small consolation for Brian and Digit, as Steve Betland had robbed them of the NTP, but then missed the ‘2’.

There were some pairings who were looking forward to the second day. One look at Scotty, and the expression on his face showed, they stuffed it up. If only the putting was better. Yet Al Rees and Peter Barnes showed consistency. They finished last on Saturday and last overall. But above them all were Rod Besgrove and Craig Barrett, who enjoyed each other’s company immensely.

The Overall Foursomes Championship results were: Scratch Winner – P Dawson/ D Bayley on 149. Scratch Runner-up – S Betland/ M Collits on 153. Handicap Winner – D Culley/ L Byrne on 140, by count-back. Handicap Runner-up – Dawson/Bayley on 140.

Yes it was a dynamic display of consistent golf by Ecky Dawson and Dan Bayley. We shall see how things go next year. The Stableford Medley on Sunday had a small following, with many regulars playing in the Foursomes. Once again the weather was challenging.

Jill Cripps was the winner with 35 points, just edging past Richard Smith on 34 points. There was no ball sweep. And the NTP’s were never threatened as no one hit the greens. The ‘Winter 3’s’ competition had another successful week. Jill Cripps had a successful week, winning the 3’s with 30.5 nett. Balls went to K Brockman (32), T Griffiths (32.5) and R Morris (33).

Here is the News: In the Wallace Cup there have been a few matches played. The remainder need to be finished by this weekend. Some results saw A Dukes thunder past Fred Collie (5/3) and Andy Cogswell win his match 3/2. The much awaited Captain versus Vice-Captain clash was a fizzer. Stevie G conceded to Dave Rhodes, due to a personal injury – a broken toe.

Do not forget your membership fees are due. And a friend may be interested in the new ‘Limited Membership’ offer. Unfortunately very few people have nominated for the LVDGA Mixed 4-Ball, to be played at Parkes on Sunday, July 23. 

It is crystal ball time: Saturday, July 22 is an 18-Hole Stroke event, sponsored by Travel Control, and sponsor. Travel to the Sam Street Caravan Park to get details. Sunday, July 23 has the LVDGA Mixed Fourball Championships at Parkes, and a Stableford Medley at home.

- by Short Putt

The Foursomes Championships Sponsored by Forbes Auto Wreckers was played last Saturday over 27 Holes on a great sunny day. The early birds won the Scratch and Handicap. Bess Shields and Sharon Grierson teamed up to have 139 in the scratch and 106 in the handicap. Colleen Venables and Sally Crosby tried to catch the leaders latter in the day with a 141 and 1071/4 to be Runners Up. Nearest the Pins were Heather Davidson on ninth and Colleen Bratton 18th. The Ball Sweep went to Sharon, Bess, Colleen V, and Sally. Congratulations to the popular winners.

On Wednesday, July 19 a Par event sponsored by Kerry Stirling and Mary Ewing was played in not such great weather with a few of us opting for coffee instead. Well done to Colleen Venables who won Division One with -3 on a countback and Division Two winner Robin Lyell all square with both also winning a ball in the sweep. Nearest the Pin ninth was Heather Davidson and 18th Robin Lyell.

This Saturday, July 22 is a Stroke Sponsored by Shell Forbes and fifth Round Golf NSW Medal. Next Wednesday, July 26 is Cake Day and Shot Gun start 9am for 9.30am with the Sponsors being Judy Hodge and Marie Reid.

-by Roving Reporter