Local wins inaugural Sand and Grass Green Championship

Is there any stopping John Betland? That was the question many were asking on Sunday night at the presentations of the inaugural Golf NSW State Sand and Grass Greens Championships.

Held last weekend with the sand round at Grenfell on Saturday followed by the greens round at Forbes on Sunday, it was John Betland who had all talking with two over par in Grenfell followed by one under the card on his home course.

Conditions at Grenfell were far from ideal. After 17mm of rain on Friday night parts of the course were affected by patches of water which made the 'chip and run' shot approaching the greens a lottery.

But not for John. As casual as ever the likeable champ was relaxed at the end of play and only commented that he drove pretty well, iron shots were on target and the putting stroke was okay.

He did thank all connected with staging the major event adding that he will be back next year to defend the title.

While it was wet, and cold, at Grenfell credit must be given to the small band of volunteers who had the course in top shape, it was the Friday night rain which did the damage.

Forbes on Sunday was a different picture, the course was superb with well grassed fairways, manicured rough and true but extremely fast greens. A credit to our curator Justin 'Jack' Clarke and his brother Darren plus their small band of volunteers.

The championships attracted players from Narrandera in the south to Walcha in the north and Sydney to the east and spots in between with just on 20 clubs represented.

Another to say that they will return is ladies scratch champion winner, Rosemary Orr from Narrandera with a total of 41 points for the two rounds.

“We've had a great time, the weekend has been great. I even got a lesson this morning and we will be back next year with a bigger party than we have now,” a delighted Rosemary said. Her handicap, 11.

Soon to be Longyards Tamworth trainee professional Andrew Brennan playing off a plus one handicap was runner-up in scratch with 63 points for the two rounds, eight behind our champion John.

Paul Friend (handicap 24) from Peak Hill won the 36 hole stableford handicap with an amazing 83 points, 43 at Grenfell and 40 here. Runner-up was Joe Dyball (h'cap 28) from Binalong with 76 points.

First round stableford winner at Grenfell was Wayne Brennan (h'cap 9) from Walcha with 35 points. A popular winner for the Forbes round was local player Terry Griffiths (h'cap 12) with 37 points.

This was a reward for pretty consistent play all weekend. Except for a couple of holes both days Terry could well have pushed for the 36 hole trophy.

Runner-up in scratch for the ladies was Margaret Naseby (h'cap 12) from Coleambally with 37 points. 

Grenfell ladies took the remaining trophies with 36 hole winner Maria Neill (h'cap 44) with 70 points from runner-up Virginia Drogemuller (h'cap 16) on 61 points. Grenfell's run of trophies continued with first round winner Val Forsyth (h'cap 21) posting 30 points.

One of the biggest cheers during presentations came with the announcement that local supporter Sally Crosby (h'cap 24) won the second round on Sunday with a polished 34 points.

A bunch of leading players from Forbes showed that you don't have to have a choice of four scores to win the teams event with Steve Betland, Peter Dawson and Daniel Bayley finishing with 186 points over the two rounds.

The only team to finish in triple figures (100 points for the best three scores) for the one round in the teams event came with Terry (Griffiths) anchoring the team of Jenny Fletcher, Sue and Barry Shine on Sunday.

Events manager for Golf NSW, Olivia Wilson said on Sunday evening in her opinion the championships was a raging success.

Her comments were backed by Peter Mitchell, a director with Golf NSW who also attended.

“What the Forbes Shire is doing here in Forbes deserves to be noted, it is excellent for the town and sporting in general,” he said. “We had around 20 clubs represented today, and I feel next year we will see a bigger and stronger field as it is scheduled the week before Forbes stages their qualifiers for the NSW Open to be played on October 8 and 9.”

Praise for the support shown over the weekend was also passed from Andrew Cogswell, president of the Forbes golf committee.

“A lot has gone into this championship,” he said. “There have been volunteers on both courses helping, cooking lunches, working in the Grenfell club while here Cath and Gordon have supported us to Daniel (Newton) in the Pro Shop. And the Forbes Shire, their support is really great. I'm already looking forward to next year,” Andrew said.

Forbes mayor Phyllis Miller attended to help with presentations and said what had been achieved was good for the town and district.

Those who stayed home on Saturday contested a stableford medley. With 27 starters Frank Donohue took line honours with a very good score of 41 points from Paul Pymont a mile back on 37 points.

Ball sweep winners were: 35 points Max Haley, 34 Bruce Chandler, Laurence O'Connor, 33 Milton Cartwright, Dennis Culley, 32 Geoff Drane and Peter Grayson. Nearest the pins: 9th Alf Davies, 18th  John Ridley.

Golf this weekend: Saturday stroke sponsored by Complete Plumbing. Sunday stableford medley.

Saturday 3/9 stroke and the Monthly Medals sponsored by McFeeters Motor Museum, Sunday, 4/9 stableford medley.

We're down to the last eight in the Wallace Cup and how good is it to see this match play competition up and running so successful. Some interesting matches to be played before September 6: Peter Nixon v Martin Cahill, Dave Mylecharane v Lee Grierson, Phil Duke v Ian Bown, Kim Herbert v Daniel Bayley.

The Roving Reporter

The first day of the Sand Championships at Grenfell on Saturday was an experience for those of us who were first timers at Grenfell. As we slip-slopped up the fairways and over the creeks with plenty of stray balls crossing onto fairways that were not from their Tee Box we wondered if it was a good idea to be playing golf.

Thirty six ladies competed, scores reflected conditions at Grenfell for the 22 Forbes girls. Forbes on Sunday had perfect weather but tough if you strayed from the fairways as no preferred lies off the fairway.

The first score is from Grenfell and in brackets is Forbes. Crosby 26 (34); Lane 26 (33); Fletcher 26 (28); Drabsch 22 (30); Kennedy 22 (29); Hodge 22 (29); Kingston 21 (29); Stirling 22 (28); Dingwall 23 (27); Coombs 20 (28); Hurkett 21 (26); Black 16 (30); Fran Smith 16 (29);Janet Smith 17 (27); Davidson 17 (27); Cripps 16 (26); Hush 18 (18); Hammond 12 (23); Tilley 13(18); Armitage15(15); Redfern 4(15); Shine (26).

The presentation at our Golf Club was very well received with the best steaks ever, thanks Lynne, Beryl, Colleen and Marie for the salads. 

On Wednesday Blue Sky sponsored two divisions for a stableford. Winner Division One Kerry Stirling 31 and Lyn Kennedy 35 in Division Two. Ball Sweep to Kerry and Lyn. Nearest The Pin 9th Marg Bentick and 18th Julie Wood.

On Tuesday Colleen Venables represented Forbes at Trangie and came home with with a runners up trophy in the B Grade Scratch with 98.

Coming up Saturday is Robbs Jewelers Stableford Competition in Two Divisions with Barb on cards. Wednesday 31st is the Undercover Lingerie and Sleepwear Stableford Cake Day with a shotgun start at 9.30, line up at 9 please. Janet is on cards.

The postponed Stroke 6th Round NSW Medal, our monthly Medal and Putting Competition sponsored by Lyn Kennedy is on Wednesday September 7. New date for 4BBB Stableford Medly the Daine Doolin Trophy is Saturday September 10.

Shootout finalists will be in next week’s Friday paper as the last day to get a good score is next Wednesday. All 21 competitors will have their results in the ladies locker room. Shoot Out Showdown is midday on Sunday September 11.