The Monthly Medal, sponsored by Robb’s Jewellers was delayed from earlier this month, due to excessive moisture. This time the weather was fine with quite blustery winds. There were 62 players. The results of their shots were all over the place. The wind coupled to some very nasty pin positions on some holes, generally made for high scores.

The A Grade winner was Peter Dawson, who continued his pre-washout form to record a nett 73. His back-9 was good. Runner-up was Stephen Uphill with 73 nett. His was a similar story, with a few errant shots on the seventh.

The B Grade winner was Ian Bown who nestled home with a nett 72. He took a while to adjust to the wind on the front-9, but finished solidly. Runner-up was Michael Browne with 73 nett. He must have been practising in secret because he was a marksman, except on the second.

The C Grade winner was Frank Hanns who had 70 nett. Stuart French had nett 73 to finish runner-up. He has been showing good form of late and may even drop his handicap further, if he can tame the seventh.

The ball sweep went to 77 nett on count back, being given to those above plus: 74 – D Bayley, D Earl; 75 – P Maher, S Kirkman; 76 – F Donohue, C McMillan, B Chandler; 77 – T Sharpe, M Woods (Orange) and A Borger.

The NTP’s went to: Ninth S Betland; 18th M Woods. Marty god his ‘2’, but Steve missed out, on the slippery slope. There were six 2’s scored overall, being shared between the third and 18th holes. Unfortunately the C-graders were not close enough.

On the 18-holes the wind certainly made it traumatic, and scores were not helped by the wicked pin positions on the sixth, ninth, 12th and to some extent the 18th holes. But they all enjoyed the fabulous condition of the greens and the challenge they offered.

For some reason the second hole proved the stumbling block to many scores. Scores of ‘8’ or higher were common. Once again a single hole cut Niel Duncan’s card, with the second stumbling his charge. But then Dave Earl scored a birdie here, to his delight.

Gordon Hurry was out on the course enjoying some friendly company. Most of his scores were recorded down the right hand side of the score card, but he did bookend his round with creditable bogies on the first and 18th holes.

Geoffrey Drane and Ron Morris kept company towards the end of the field, but they had nothing on Mike Spice who was reduced to his knees. Golf does that at times. Another who had problems was Alby Callaghan. He had a few of ‘those’ shots, and when coming up the 17th he went straight to the practice fairway to sort things out. It did not help.

Good to see Martin Woods from Orange enjoying a hit. Maybe he was here to get an early look at the course ahead of the Nissan Classic. Look out! Other visitors included the Boland clan, being Nick (GSM GC), Tony (Wentworth) and Mike (Tamworth), who all enjoyed the wander but sadly did not play any startling golf.

Sunday’s play was the Stableford Medley, with the field being a men-only caper as the Ladies had their Billabong event on. The winner was Andy Dukes, with a score 33 points.

However, there were NTP’s ninth A Dukes; 18th B Carpenter. The 2’s went to Andy on the first and Phil Maher on the 18th. Both were very fine shots.

The Wallace Cup matches await the playing of three matches to decide the semi-finalists. P Duke versus I Bown and K Herbert versus D Bayley are on one side, while Marty Cahill awaits D Mylecharane versus L Grieson. All will be good tussles.

We remind all players to ensure you fix your pitch marks and your divots, especially when the greens are soft.

And here is the news: The Nissan Classic weekend, November 12-13, is almost here. The Tee Start list is in the Pro Shop, so get your names down ASAP. The Saturday 4BBB Stableford Medley is a good warm-up to the Sunday 18-hole Stroke event.

This event is so popular that we need more carts. If any players are not using their cart, or are willing to share a seat then please let Daniel know. This is very important to ensure that the field stays as high as possible and thus make the weekend a huge success.

Do not forget to put your name down for the Demo days. Bookings can be made with Daniel for Taylormade on November 23, 12-5 pm. Ping on November 24, 12 – 4 pm. Titleist on November 24, 4 – 7 pm. These are really worth supporting.

The “Forbz Skinz” begin on October 28. A $2 entry will earn the chance for a pool that cumulates at each hole if the scores are tied.

And it is a chance to really hone your distance management skills. See Daniel at the Pro Shop for details and rules.

30 October there is the Condobolin Open. Breakfast is available for $5 from 8am, with entry being $35. Play commences from 9am. Also on that day is the Dubbo “Bullseye” par-3 event, if you happen to be up that way.

We wish our Lachlan Valley Districts team well when they contest the Country Championships at Goulburn on the weekend of October 30-31. Andy Dukes is going as a supporter or disciplinarian, I am not sure which.

Re-scheduling of the Club Championships November 19-20, 26-27. 

It is crystal ball time: October 29 is an 18-hole Stroke event sponsored by Country Mile Motor Inn. A great place for a rest. Sunday is the Stableford Medley.

November 5, will be the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Jelbarts Tyrepower. They can give you plenty of air. Sunday is the Stableford Medley.

November 12, is the 4BBB Stableford Medley, followed by the 18-hole Forbes Nissan Classic on November 13.

by Smooth Swinger

The first round of the ASI Capital sponsored Forbes Golf Club Summer Sixers competition, which finished on October 23, was enjoyed by many players who were very keen to get out and play.

The best scores this week ranged from nett 31 to nett 34, scored by – Members: Steve Grallelis (32), Julie Wood (32) and Deborah Dingwall (32), and Non-members: Danielel Scott (31), Jenny Watts (33) and Brian Asimus (34). At least Steve and Brian kept the flag flying for the males.

Being the first round, many teams were finding their feet so the team scores are not yet reflective of the talent on display. However, there were some good scores returned by Carlton Dry Boys (Pool 1), Niel’s Complete Carpet Cleaning and Hit and Miss (Pool 2), Roylances’s Auto (Pool 3) and Daniels Team (Pool 4).

In fact four players from Roylance’s team, in Pool 3, each scored 36 points to dominate that pool for the week. The best team score for the round was Hit and Miss with 102, just ahead of Bush Diva’s with 103.

The ball winners for each Pool are: Pool 1, Deb Dingwall, Phil Wells, Brian Asimus, Tony Cogswell, Shane Sallaway, Laurie O’Connor and Ron Morris. Pool 2, Danielle Scott, Julie Wood, Steve Grallelis, Jennifer Horan, Niel Duncan, Ian Bown and Alison Kingston. Pool 3, Mitch Roylance, Shaune Shepherd, Dave Bernardi, Chris Roylance, Vince Aitken, Jono Roylance and Ralph Baker. Pool 4, Jenny Watts, Louise French, Fleur Von Mengersen-Wells, Ben Robinson, Rosie Johnston and Brendan Turner.

Do not forget to collect your balls from the Pro Shop.

It is early days yet so there is plenty of time to get some motion and momentum.

On Wednesday 20 players played a Stableford event for the Doreen Barnes and Bess Shields Trophy. Winner of Division 1 was Barb Drabsch with 37 points while Julie Hurkett was runner-up with 31 points. In Division 2 Jill Cripps was the winner with an impressive 40 points with Enid Baker not far behind on 39 points. 

NTP went to Barb Drabsch on the 9th and Robyn Hammond on the 18th .

Ball sweep went to Jill Cripps, Enid Baker, Robin Lyell and Sue Shine 37 c/b

Medal of Medallist is to played this Saturday October 29. The following people were medallists throughout the year and are eligible to play. Jill Cripps, Denise Squires , Sue Shine, Robin Hammond, Libby Godden, Fran Smith, Heather Davidson, Julie Woods, Ethel Coombs, Robin Lyell, Colleen Bratton, Doreen Barnes, Kerry Stirling, Enid Baker, Fleur Wells, Fay Grogan and Lyn Kennedy. Best of luck to those playing.