Vets golfers enjoy Bogan Gate

Twin Towns veteran golfers had to play second fiddle to Mother Nature last Thursday after a welcome 6mm of rain fell on the weekly host club course, Forbes. But all is not lost on those vets chasing championship honours with West Wyalong hosting the Lachlan Valley Veterans Championship on Thursday being played in conjunction with the WW Open Day. Registrations from 9.15am for a 10am shot-gun start. It has been a busy few days for Bogan Gate golf club with the staging of their annual Open Tournament last Sunday while days later they hosted a ‘casual’ 12 hole competition. Both were well supported which was not missed by club captain, Don McKeowen. “Both were very good for the club, and we now look forward to them with the aim of improve playing numbers in coming years,” Don said. “Days like these just don’t happen, it takes effort and on behalf of the club I thank all who took the time to come out to play and to our sponsors who without them no competition. To our committee for their efforts prior preparing the course to catering on the day and helping with the score cards. It all helps,” he added. Sunday the 8th was the Open followed on Tuesday 10 by the ‘casual’ hit-out. Sunday’s Open had played from around the district to Sydney while Tuesday saw district club players mixing with others who without handicaps took time to refresh their memories of playing golf. Two grades were played in Sunday’s Open with Rick Smith from Tottenham taking the scratch event with three over par 74 from evergreen Forbes members Barry Parker 87. Other A grade results (handicap 0-12) – Handicap, George Falvey (Fbs) 77 nett (scratch 87), r/u Michael Kopp (Wentworth, Orange) 81 (scr 92). Stableford, Greg Deiner (P’Hill) 29 points, r/u Robert J Lea (Pks) 25 points. B grade (13-36) – Scratch, Steve McIntyre (Cumberland, Sydney) 87, r/u Greg Baker (Albert) 87. Handicap, Steve Edwards (B’Gate) 72 nett (scr 92), r/u Vince Mills (SGA Sydney) 72, (scr 93). Stableford, Todd Dunn (P’Hill) 34 points, r/u Robert McIntyre (B’Gate) 33. Veterans winner, Rick Smith (Tottenham). Nearest the pins, A grade James Ward (Pks), B grade Ian Dietrich (P’Hill). Long drive, A grade Rick Smith (Tottenham), B grade Ian Ward (Pks). Tuesday’s ‘social’ hit resulted in an event which at this stage is planned to be bigger and better next year. Staunch Bogan Gate club members Ros and Steve Edwards worked tirelessly to its success which was very much appreciated by the 41 in attendance. It took a three-way count-back to decide the individual winner with Parkes hot-shot Gordon Pritchard getting the scorers nod with 26 points on a count-back over Andrew Norton-Knight (Fbs) and Nym Dziuba (Pks). Individual prizes went to 7th placing. 4th Richard Hamilton (Pks) 25 points, 5th, 6th and 7th, Mark Dwyer (Pks), Dale Stait (Pks) and Peter Rowe (B’Gate) all on 24 points. Forbes member Alf Davies sponsored a draw from the hat 4-ball aggregate which was taken out by Ted Morgan and Trevor Drury, both from Fbs with 45 points. 2nd Gordon Pritchard and Garry Phipps (both Pks) 44 points, 3rd Joe Davies and Dale Stait (both Pks), 4th Rob Staples and Ken Walton (Pks and Fbs). No Tuesday 12-hole comp last week due to the earlier mentioned Bogan Gate day. However play again this week with ball toss at 9am then for many coffee after. SCRIBES NOTE – I looked up the meaning of volunteer, this is what I found – “A volunteer is a person and without being forced or paid, does something to help others or a cause.” Well, we all knew that but the reason why I mention it today is I saw ‘volunteering’ at its best at Bogan Gate. This is saying I don’t recognise all volunteers, they’re all good, excellent, they contribute. But how good are Ros and Steve Edwards?