MEN'S GOLF
By SHORT PUTT
On a glorious Spring weekend the Forbes golfers revelled in the sunshine and sought to accomplish great deeds in their round of golf. Many did this but there were still a few who needed warmer weather still to get their muscles moving.
The Saturday men's competition was the September Monthly Medal, sponsored by McFeeters Motor Museum.
The field of 60 players produced scores that were a sharp improvement on those from previous weeks with over a third of the field playing to nett par or better.
The A-Grade was won by Alf Davies with a nett 67. This was a welcome return to form but after the front-9 he was cautious about what the outcome would be.
On the front-9 he had bogeys on the 4th and 5th holes but managed a birdie on the 7th to turn on 37 scratch. He started the back-9 with a birdie and had another on the 15th but lost concentration on a couple of other holes to finish 3-over on 39.
The A-Grade Runner-up was Adam Ruperto who thought he was in for a rough day after a bogey, bogey start but he came right to card a 69 nett.
A birdie on the 3rd kicked him along for a bevy of pars before a bogey on the 9th. His buggy had flat tyres that caused a poor start to the back-9 and from there he had a bumpy ride home to finish with 41 scratch.
The B-Grade had a similar close finish with Simon Martino grabbing the prize after his 68 nett. He was a late starter but enjoyed cooler conditions and more even pace on the greens.
He was level par after three holes but a ‘snowman’ on the 4th upset his rhythm. He made a good recovery to turn on 40 scratch and well under his handicap.
His back-9 did not start well with a ‘double, triple, and bogey’ but a par on the 13th was a settler, or so he thought. It was a struggle coming home but his handicap helped him to post a good score and upset the clubhouse leaders.
The B-Grade runner up was Scott Kirkman who finished in mid-afternoon and endured an anxious wait to see if his 69 nett was enough. But it wasn’t.
He had a roller-coaster front-9 with birdies and double-bogeys but his back-9 was steady. That was steady bogeys with a birdie and par intermingled. His par on the 18th was very satisfactory.
The C-Grade produced the highlight of the day and again the clubhouse leaders were unseated by a late finisher.
Tony Cogswell had one of those rare days when the planets aligned, the gods were forgiving and the angels sung.
He started with a birdie and then mixed pars and bogeys on the front-9 to turn well under his handicap on 45. His back-9 had some bogeys but more pars, including on the last hole, which ensured a comfortable 43 scratch and 66 nett.
The C-Grade runner up was Steve Grallelis who seemed to enjoy a slightly earlier tee time.
His 69 nett was achieved on the back of a par, par, par start and thereafter steady play to turn 3-under his handicap.
The back-9 was steady handicap golf capped off by a well thought out monster putt that turned uphill at the end to produce a par finish.
The ball sweep went to 72 nett even, going to: 70 – W O’Neill, S Rogers, N Duncan, F Melisi, A Hogan, F Hanns; 71 - B Ashton, Archie Quirk, L O’Connor, B Chandler; 72C McMillan, R Smith, T Callaghan, B Woonton, M Haley.
The visitors included: J Andrews (Mudgee) who had a pleasant day, G Walsh (Curlewis) heading south back to home, and S Grant (Murrumbidgee) visiting his dad. Both Walsh and Grant enjoyed the company if not their score.
The NTP’s went to: 9th – Phil Duke; 18th – Tony Cogswell. Neither of them managed to convert for a ‘2’.
There were ten overall with the A-Graders spreading seven of them across the four par-3’s.
Phil Duke managed a ‘2’ on the 1st hole but it was his luck that there was no NTP there.
Scott Kirkman was the only B-Grader to score a ‘2’ with that on the 3rd. Tony Cogswell knew he was in for a good day when he 2’ed the 1st hole.
The 3rd hole Super-Pin went to Laurie O’Connor. He did not expect his shot to 365 cm to last through the day but the wind made it tricky for many and his name on the sheet was steadfast.
Monthly Medal days can be a real challenge with the tees set back.
Couple that to the brisk wind and a tough day is expected. Add onto that the cored and sanded greens and any projection of scores becomes difficult.
However, such was the delight by the players in the good conditions that they embraced the scoring opportunities and over one third of the field scored nett par or better.
In these conditions players needed to be inventive at times.
The greens ran true, with the occasional bump by a coring hole, so the premise was to adjust for less borrow and see the ball skid along at pace.
The wind caused many a player to adjust their ‘line of play’ which sometimes meant playing away from the target and using the wind.
But there are always success stories. There were three eagles scored on the day. The 6th hole yielded two with Phil Dukes and Cam McMillan scoring eagles there.
It was a case of two good shots and a decent putt for them. Brad Ashton chimed in with an eagle on the 15th hole. Again two good shots with a very handsome putt across the slope.
And then there were those who emulated Rory McIlroy by starting their rounds with three pars.
Among those were Alf Davies, Todd and Harry Callaghan, Clayton Alley, Graham Newport and Stevie G. Noce to know that while we are half-way around the globe we can mirror what the ‘guns’ do.
Those who volunteered indifferent comments included Max Haley. His chipping was okay but his putting was way off.
Someone whose putting was ‘on song’ was Tony Cogswell. His ‘2’ on the 1st hole was achieved with a monster putt across nearly the full length of the green. The other putts he made after that were mediocre by comparison.
And another player wielded his putter well. He commented that ‘anything within 30 yards’ of the hole was a certain shot for his ‘texas wedge’.
And it mostly worked except when playing the 16th. He had to approach from adjacent to the 3rd fairway and keep his shot below the branches. All was well until he encountered the long grass. Dash and damn.
The natural obstacles on the course resulted in mixed results for the players. Ecky Dawson found his 2nd shot on the 4th had finished ‘on the rocks’.
Kim Herbert was waiting on the green for Ecky to catch up. After surveying the scene Ecky clambered among the rocks and chipped his ball towards the green. Kim was amazed to see the ball trundle onto the green and into the hole for a birdie.
Another to encounter the natural obstacles was Mick Prior. His tee shot on the 10th veered right and struck the big gum by the 150m marker post where it dropped down to its base. A backwards chip was the only option.
Then, playing the 15th his tee shot struck the same tree and his ball finished in almost the same spot. He was able to bunt if forward through the trees onto the fairway and set up a bogey.
Another natural obstacle is the water which claims many a victim. Steve G lost his ball in the rocks on the 4th and still managed a good score.
However, Brendan Hayes had a different story. He found the water on the 4th then found it again on the 15th, but this time twice.
With all the consideration about the challenges and successes encountered across the field one group wildly proclaimed that their best hole was the ‘19th Golfie’.
None of them featured at the top of the leaderboard but NJ Morrison was the better of them by leading the bottom third of the field, but Cody, Jacob and Adrian wish to remain anonymous.
Here is the news:
The Parkes Open and the Bogan Gate Open are on this weekend. Parkes has a 36-hole event across two days and Bogan Gate has their doors open on Sunday 14 September.
Players are advised that the Mixed Foursomes scheduled for Sunday 26 Octover has been put back by a week to Sunday 2 November. This is due to scheduling clashes with District events. Please note your diaries.
And it is AGM time. The Events (Men's) Committee AGM is scheduled for Oct 7 with the FGAM on Tuesday 28 October.
The Events meeting needs members as some of the current team are stepping down.
It is crystal ball time:
This Saturday 13 September is an Individual Par event, sponsored by Everest Auto Repairs. And Sunday has the usual Stableford Medley comp.
VETS GOLF
A bit of sand on the recently renovated greens at Forbes played into the hands of Bogan Gate wizard and Forbes veteran golfer Steve Edwards last Thursday winning the twin towns competition with 42 points.
But only just, as he survived a count-back from fellow club member and renowned form guide jockey John Milton unlucky again as 42 wins easily most days.
Not so lucky was Ken Sanderson who left with the encouragement award while keeping all trophies in the local club had Kim Herbert and Don McKeowen as nearest the pin winners.
As has been the case for months Forbes (20 players for their best six individual scores) posting 234 points won the twin towns to Parkes’ 200 from their only six players willing to travel south. Steve Grace from Grenfell also enjoyed a hit.
Ball sweep to 34 points. 41 points Les Little (F), 37 Rob Staples (P), Peter Grayson (F), Andrew Norton-Knight (F), 36 Scott Kirkman (F), Alf Davies (F), 34 Gordon Pritchard (P), Lex Hodges (P), Frank Hanns (F), Allan Rees (F), Trevor Williams (F).
It will be interesting to see if ALL vets golfers support Thursday’s twin towns comp in Parkes which will incorporate a ‘second’ game centred along the lines of a Lachlan Valley Association monthly comp where all are invited to have a hit.
Reason being it is sponsored by Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia who are major sponsors of the Parkes Open the following weekend. Sure to be plenty of trophies on hand as well singing as it is Alf’s (Davies) birthday. Cake if ‘chief’ Peter Bristol remembers. Book-keeper Jeff Haley also celebrates another year young on Thursday. His works are much appreciated.
Noms from 9.15am for a 10am shot gun start on Thursday.
The trophy specialist and BG mayor/scribe Steve Edwards reported 13 players last Tuesday for the 12 hole social comp with winner being the happy go lucky Barry ‘Scadger’ Parker with 30 points well ahead of the rest of the field. Second was Ken Walton on 24 points, John Milton and Peter Scholefield on 23, three players on 22, one on 21, three on 20 and two on 17. Coffee after for those interested of only they knew the venue.
From the BG Mayoress - “The yellow daisies are in profusion at Bogan Gate Golf Club so the decision to play the 'Vets Masters Cup' a month earlier was the right one. Attached is a poem written a week later. There were 38 players taking part, excellent result for the club.
The Tuesday Vets Master’s Cup
They came from far to Bogan Gate
The Master’s Cup to initiate
The sun shone down in bright display
It promised to be a rain-free day.
On arrival, they enjoyed date loaves and slices,
Scones, jam and cream to satisfy vices,
Then out to face the hitting of a ball,
A challenge for some but not for all.
Halfway around and the barbie is lit
The sausages and onions would soon be a hit
Buttered bread and sauce would complete the meal
To fill their bellies – how would that feel!
The scores are in – the winners are happy
For others, not so – their game was crappy.
Discussion ensued on the events of the day,
Then home safely, they went on their way.
LADIES GOLF
By THE BIRDIE
Wednesday 3 September was a Stroke, Monthly Medal and Putting Comp.
Medal winners were Heather Davidson in Division 1. Ann-Maree Gaffney in Division 2 and Jenny Hubbard in Division 3.
Our Division 1 Stroke was won by Heather Davidson 71 nett from runner up Deb Tilley 73 nett.
Division 2 winner was Jenny Hubbard with 65 nett from Meg Scolfield with 68.
Ball sweep winners were Megan Scholfield, Julie Wood, Deborah Dingwall 70 and Ann-Maree Gaffney 72.
Kate Steel-Park was closest to the pin on the 9th and Colleen Venables on the 18th.
Debbie Tilley had the hottest putter on course needing only 27 putts to complete her match.
Saturday 6 September was Ladies 4BBB Par.
Winners on the day were Jenny Hubbard and Sally Perry who came home with a +10.
Runners-up were Ann-Maree Gaffney and her partner Elizabeth Finnigan (visitor from Gunnedah) +9.
Nearest to the pins were both won by the visitor Elizabeth Finnigan.
The KMW&L shootout is set to be played on Sunday 14 September at noon.
Qualifying for the shoot out a player’s five best Stableford scores are tallied over the period between March 1 and August 30. Players are then ranked and selected by availability.
Qualifiers for this 2025 shootout are Sarah Black, Rose Carroll, Sally Crosby, Heather Davidson, Shirley Davies, Brianna Duncan, Carolyn Duncan, Jenny Hubbard, Robin Lyell and Wendy Simmons. Good luck to all those who made the cut.
Matches set down for play next week are: on 13 September the J Hubbard, J Fletcher and Deb Tilley sponsored 3 Ball Ambrose Evil Golfers Trophy; Sunday 14 September The Shootout; Wednesday 17 September the Bunnings sponsored Individual Stableford in two divisions.
Until next week, good golfing everyone.