MEN'S GOLF
By SHORT PUTT
The enthusiasm of the Forbes golfers was enhanced by the sunshine bathing the course on the weekend and cast aside any negative thoughts about the chilly breeze to post some good scores. And good scores were needed to get amongst the prizes.
The Saturday men's competition was an individual Stableford, sponsored by MTA Travel of Forbes.
The field of 54 players was down a bit as many were torn away to other events including the footy semi-final and the Bedgerabong Show. Wherever they were people enjoyed themselves.
The Div-1 winner was Jade Page, a recent member to the club. He carded 41 points for the best score of the day.
His was a game of even halves with 21 points on each 9-holes. His best hole was the 7th where a birdie earned him four points. Thereafter it was steady play all the way home.
The Div-1 runner-up was Phil Wells. His 37 arose from a relaxing day although he lost concentration on the back-9 where a few 1-pointers held him back. He managed a 4-pointer on the 5th hole and finished nicely with a par on the last.
The Div-2 winner was Steve Grallelis with 40 points. He was on fire on the front-9 starting with a 3-pointer and followed with a birdie on the 3rd hole for 4-points.
A minor blemish on the 6th hole did not hurt his score of 22 on the front-9. The back-9 was steady all the way, made even more pleasing by avoiding the water on the 15th.
The Div-2 runner-up was Laurie O’Conner with a very creditable 38 points. He had an even game scoring 19 points on each half but did bemoan his finish where he had a couple of 1-pointers.
Sitting in the Golfie he was hopeful but not confident that his score would remain on top.
The ball sweep went to 34 points, going to: 36 – S Rogers, A Alley; 35 – N Duncan, P Murphy, H Callaghan, P Duke, P Tisdell; 34 – K Tyne, B Chandler, Archie Quirk, L Little, T Callaghan and T Cogswell.
There were four visitors – Tyler Hearn (Canowindra), Harry Dunning (Pymble) and Brad Corcoran and Peter Michelsen (Leonay GC, Sydney). Both Tyler and Harry finished in the middle of the field, with Harry grabbing the Superpin, which was pleasing. But Brad and Peter were close to throwing their clubs into the water.
The NTP’s went to: 9th – P Dawson; 18th – H Callaghan. Peter managed to convert for a ‘2’ but Harry was a bit weak on his attempt. There were only three 2’s all day with the 9th earning two 2’s and one on the 3rd.
The 3rd hole Super-Pin was a welcome relief for visitor Harry Dunning although he was not aware of it at the time.
His tee shot finished at 95 cm and was well inside the previous best of 610 cm. But alas he did not read the ‘borrow’ on the green and missed his conversion for a ‘2’. The remainder of his front-9 was heart-breaking but he did recover on the back-9.
Some of our newer members are doing well. Jade Page of course and Steve Rogers who finished with 36 points.
Sam Williams shows promise while Trevor Williams is yet to sort his swing out. But very pleasing to see them here.
There are a few ‘traditions’ known for play on the Forbes golf course. One is that a par on the 1st hole will ruin your day unless you also par the 2nd hole.
Bruce Chandler did par the 1st hole but just missed his par on the 2nd hole. This led to a less than desired score for him for the day.
Somehow Stevie G sidestepped that ‘tradition’. He parred the 1st hole, had a bogey on the 2nd but then birdied the 3rd hole.
This presumably set the tradition back on a level keel as he did have a good day. He also did not use a green bucket which may have helped. All of this earned him a win in the KENO ticket.
Some players are determined to utilise the full extent of the course.
Matt Duff and Hamish Steele-Park were observed taking a shortcut down the vacant area between the 7th and 11th fairways.
Possibly they deemed the 11th fairway to not be challenging enough.
Then Tim West was kept busy. He was seen on numerous occasions covering ground on fairways other than his own. It was obvious that he was helping his playing partners search for their errant ball.
However he was observed swinging his club on the 14th fairway while playing the 10th hole but presumably this was to clear ‘rubbish’ from around his cart.
It is very rare that a player’s golf game is good in all departments at the same time.
Warwick Judge was good off the tee all day and usually good with his approach shots. But his chipping and short putting left a lot to be desired. Similarly Fonz Melisi developed a ‘severe pull almost hook’ off the tee but his putting was rock solid.
From a distance it appeared to some that Shane Sallaway had his son out with him enjoying the day. But closer examination revealed that he was in fact accompanied by Ash Hogan.
It was the disparity in height and the shorts worn by Ash that caused the confusion.
The final of the Wallace Cup was played this week. Brad Ashton and Kim Herbert endeavoured to navigate around the course work. The result is not to hand but details will follow.
Here is the news:
This Saturday 23 August is the Golf NSW/KENO 2-Person Ambrose. Pairs may contest in either of three divisions – men, ladies or mixed players.
There are restrictions on the handicap for each pair so check in the Pro Shop before you team up.
Winners of the three divisions are eligible to participate in any of the regional finals. Forbes will be hosting a regional final on 28 September so you could be lucky enough to play with ‘home advantage’.
A small number of Forbes players attended the Caragabal Open but the results have not been obtained yet.
It is known that the hospitality was top notch and there was good representation of local families.
Head Pro Will has advised of a Titleist Equipment demo day scheduled for Wednesday 10 September.
Contact him or leave your name at the Pro Shop if you want a time slot to try things out.
Peak Hill GC have notified us of their Open being held on Sunday, 24 August.
It is open to both men and lady competitors. Entry fee is $50 with a meal provided. Plenty of prizes to be won.
Details on the notice board but contact them quickly if you want to ensure a meal.
It is crystal ball time:
Saturday 23 has the KENO 2-person ambrose, sponsored by Gunn Golf. And Sunday has the usual Stableford Medley comp plus the Peak Hill Open.
VETS GOLF
They came, they played and had a great day at the Bogan Gate Vets Masters golf tournament last Tuesday with 38 keen participants out to tackle the rolling fairways and sand greens.
On that, who said you can’t three putt sand greens, plenty did last week.
Played this year for the first time over 18 holes winner was BG president Robert McIntyre with 37 points on a count-back from Trundle’s Narelle Sutherland and host/chief organiser Steve Edwards. Guess who did the count-back?
Nearest the pins, A grade Alf Davies (Fbs) while in B grade it was sweet swinging Johnny Pearce from Parkes. Balls sweep winners, 37 points Steve Edwards, 35 Alf Davies (F), 34 Allan Rees (F), Ted Morgan (F), 33 Don McKeowen (BG), Lindsay Elliott (P), Ross Williams (F), Ken Sanderson (F). If a twin twins shield had of been played, Forbes 206 points to Parkes’ 184.
Placings, and all tournament players after the draw from the hat by Phil Bishop for the 4-ball aggregate.
Winners Narelle Sutherland (T) and Alf Davies (F) 72 points.
Second were Alan Rees (F) and Ted Morgan (F) 68, 3 Lindsay Elliott (P) and Ross Williams (F) 66, 4 Ken Walton (F) and Ken Sanderson (F) 64, 5 Tom Delmenico (P) and Garry Sutherland (T) 63, 6 Steve Uphill (F) and Nym Dziuba (P) 61, 7 Graham Everest (BG) and Steve Edwards (BG) 59, 8 Joe Davies (P) and Robert McIntyre (BG) 59, 9 Mick Bond (P) and Colleen Staples (P) 59, 10 Rob Staples (P) and Barry Parker (F) 57, 11 Terry Galvin (T) and Richard Hamilton (P) 55, 12 Brian Matthews (P) and Colin Britt (BG) 53, 13 Phil Bishop (P) and Ian Thomas (F) 53, 14 Trevor Drury (F) and Barry Shine (F) 52, 15 Gordon Pritchard (P) and Don McKeowen (BG), 16 Gary Phipps (P) and Alex Mackinnon (F), 17 John Pearce (P) and Gale Matthews (P), 18 John Fowler (P) and Robert J Lea (P) 51, 19 Geoff Drane (F) and Andrew Norton-Knight (F).
Support for the day was not lost on Steve (Edwards) who had no hesitation telling the media, “The Bogan Gate Golf Club would like to thank members of Forbes, Parkes and Trundle golf clubs for their support at ‘Bogan’ on the 12th for the ‘Masters’. It is very much appreciated”.
From the scribe – It is hard to explain, actually it is not, how successful last Tuesday was. It was simply fantastic.
Hospitably unbelievable, morning tea and lunch similar, a testing course under magnificent weather.
Why? Mainly because of the efforts supplied by Roz and Steve Edwards. What don’t they do for Bogan Gate, anyone’s guess.
Last Tuesday Roz saw that all were greeted with a morning tea spread equal to any followed by lunch to fill the belly after a testing 18 holes. Thanks and congratulations Roz.
Husband Steve, what didn’t he do contributing from handicapping to score cards and draw, taking entry fee, working the bar, helping with scores and prizes. Everything except the catering.
Best of all, Roz and Steve go about their duty in a pleasant nature, nothing a problem, no panic and helpful at all times. A real team effort, one Bogan Gate can be proud of.
On Tuesday they had helpers from Lorraine Everest who worked the day in the kitchen preparing dishes then cleaning after to the BBQ chiefs Tom Lees, Milton Buchanan and Ian Coombs.
To finish club captain Don McKeowen did his share from the course to the clubhouse, helping out here and there. They all contributed to success, thanks and extremely well done.
Don’t forget the players, they put the finishing touches to the tournament.
Thanks on behalf of BG for contributing and see you next year which is being mooted as bigger then ever with other players outside Forbes and Parkes expected to contribute.
There are many other volunteers (and helpers) similar to Roz and Steve and they to add to the values of our county. Where would we be without them. I don’t want to guess. Congrats to all in this bracket.
LADIES GOLF
Again, the threat of rain deterred a few players from hitting the course last Wednesday.
The rain did stay away and those who played, managed to get around without a problem.
The event was a Stroke event for the last round of the Golf NSW Medal and Dropout Stableford and the sponsor was Nicholsons Petroleum in two divisions.
Winner of Division 1 with a par score of nett 72 was Kate Steele-Park and the winner of Division was Ann-Maree Gaffney with a 1 under nett score of 71. Great scores considering the weather.
Ball sweep went to Wendy Simmons and Heather Davidson nett 73. NTP’s went to Sally Perry on the 9th and Rose Carroll on the 18th.
We have a number of 80 years young players who play weekly and it is good to see them playing great golf and enjoying themselves.
It was a pleasure to witness one of our 80-plus players, Julie Wood, playing last Wednesday.
On the front 9 she had 22 stableford points which included a chip in birdie on the 9th for 5 points, as well as two other 4 point holes.
Unfortunately for Julie she was unable to get over the 15th hole which resulted in her opting for the Dropout Stableford Event instead of the Stroke event. She won that with 37 points. Well done Julie.
Saturday also saw the weather being a bit dodgy but most players got in before the showers kicked in.
The wind was quite strong at times which made the into the wind holes long but the downwind holes received plenty of assistance.
Sally Crosby was the Division 1 winner with a well compiled 37 points and Ann Simmons continued her good form to win Division 2 with 38 points.
Ball sweep winners were Colleen Venables and Lindy Pollock to 31 points. NTP’s went to Heather Davidson on the 9th and Robin Lyell on the 18th. The event was sponsored by Steve Gaffney Building.
It was also the qualifying event for the WDLGA Spoon to be played in three divisions at the finals day in Parkes on September 19. Best two players in each division qualify.
Last Friday the Pennants team travelled to Canowindra to play Cowra in the semi -finals.
Unfortunately for the Forbes ladies, Cowra were too strong winning 3/1 with one match called in.
All matches were close with Heather losing on the 18th, Ev losing on the 17th, Robin losing on the 18th, Ann-Maree winning 3/2 and Sally was even when called in.
Cowra will now play Grenfell who beat Duntryleague in the final, which is on finals day.
Next Saturday is NSW Keno 2 Person Ambrose qualifying sponsored by Gunn Golf and Wednesday August 27 is an Individual Stableford sponsored by Undercover. It is cake day and a shotgun start.
Narromine Ladies Tournament is on Sunday August 31.