Exciting times at golf

On Saturday the Mens comp was an 18-hole Stroke event sponsored by Country Mile Motor Inn. Undeniably, the 51 players enjoyed themselves.

The A-division winner was Andy Cogswell with a nett 67. A lone birdie on the 14th compensated a little for the double-bogey on the 15th, but he was still way in front. Runner-up was Cameron McMillan with 71, on count back from Fred Collie and Ted Morgan. 

The B-division went to Milton Cartwright, with 70 nett. Once again he compiled a very tidy round with almost equal 9’s and only one blemish. For Runner-up we had yet another count back, this time on 72 nett. Bob Borger got the nod from Ron Morris, who always manages to be near the front or around about.

The ball sweep went to 73, going to: 67 – Andy Cogswell; 70 – M Cartwright; 71 – C McMillan, F Collie, T Morgan; 72 – P Duke, P Dawson, B Everest, R Borger, R Morris; 73 – R Nixon, N Duncan, D Rhodes. A special prize went to the Best Scratch of the day, for which John Betland (74) picked up a meat tray.

The NTP’s must have once again been a delight for the spectators. They were: 9th – P Dawson; 18th – F Collie. Fred converted his, but Ecky had a slice in his putt. There was one visitor – D Henderson from Taralgon. 

As to be expected after a long weekend, some players were relaxed and easily able to focus, while others were relaxed and succumbed to the ‘lazy-swing’ syndrome. One player who was not lazy was Phil Maher, who was back for a game. He was buoyed by the smell of the turf, the sound of club on ball, and the gentle banter of his group. 

The cloud on Saturday negated any drying conditions. Those that teed off after 1 pm still found dew on the greens as they played. This truly meant that the conditions on the day were the same for all players.

Some players who were focused did so to ensure a win for the Keno ticket. Fred C and Niel D were 3 down with 5 to play against Mark W and Richard N. But they really put it together to finish birdie, par, par, par, birdie to take the honours.

Phil Duke was his customary long drive, only just staying ahead of young Cameron. But Phil had variety in his game. He was in the trees all the way along the 7th and managed par. He followed this with a lay-up shot on the 8th, that laid up well before the Ladies tee. Then on the 10th his ball had had enough and dived straight into the water. Later, a beautiful birdie on the 15th and pars on the 14th and 18th were pleasurable.

Not so pleasurable was one player who incurred 16 penalty shots in his round. A combination of OB’s, water, wrong-ball and wrong tee meant that this golfer (shhh – Harris Steel-Park) had used up all of his bad luck and could buy a lottery ticket with confidence.

The Stableford Medley on Sunday was quiet, with many players participating in the Holden Scramble. But the small field still enjoyed their sunshine.

Once again Bruce Carpenter won the day with 41 points. Barb Drabsch was runner-up with 37 points. The ball sweep went to 35 points on count back, going to Scott Kirkman. The NTP’s were: 9th – E Coombs; 18th – Nil. And no 2’s anywhere.

Sunday also had the Holden Scramble. Twelve teams participated in the 4-person Ambrose. The scores were surprisingly mild, but nevertheless exciting.

Teams came from Mudgee, Parkes, Orange, Condo and Forbes, all keen to win entry into the next round, the Regional Qualifier.

The scores did not go as low as what may have been expected. Some teams starting early felt the fog affected them. But whatever the score, there was intense competition.

Three teams tied on 57 5/8 nett. A count back easily decided the winner, being the group of – J Fletcher, D Tilley, D Sly and J Betland. This group will be going to the Regional Qualifier, to be held in March 2018.

The runner-up position was harder to determine, with a count back to holes on the last-9. But the team of P Cowhan, B Thomas, B Thomas and A Tucker just snuck through by one shot over the team of R Nixon, N Duncan, F Collie and S Grallelis. It was good play by Blair to have his drives on holes 2, 8 and 13 used.

The unlucky 3rd team did very well, despite having some better golfers turn down the opportunity to play with them because ‘they were not good enough’. It just goes to show that the game of golf is fickle and wonderful things do happen.

There are some stories to be told. Terry Griffiths sent a fantastic shot into the 13th green, from the tee-side of the hazard. His ball landed barely a foot from the hole and stopped almost dead. And yes, he did get the putt.

The 13th was the scene of another drama. Marty Cahill stepped up to chip the ball, intending to put it close so his team mates would have a chance at an easy par. He played his shot and looked to see where the ball went, only to realise he had hit the ground behind the ball, his club bounced over it missing the ball completely.

Despite the 48 players involved, there were only eight 2’s, with only two 2’s on the 18th. The best of this was by the last group. Watched from the clubhouse, and egged on by mascot Phil Maher, Dukes, Cahill, Browne and Spice almost made a complete mess of it but did eventually get it.

The best visiting team scored 591/8, which was small recompense for their trip down from Mudgee. They were last year’s champions, and while they did not defend their title they did enjoy the course.

Here is the news: The ‘Winter 3’s’ competition is being well supported. The week 4 winner was Kylie Brockman with a very happy 25 nett. A bit behind her was Ethel Coombs on 29.5 and Murray Field with 31.5. The handicaps will be rocking now.

The Wallace Cup draw is up, with some interesting matches in the first round. There is still a few weeks to complete the first round, after which the 2nd Round will have some really good match ups.

And once again, do not forget the Tottenham Open and the Grenfell Open, both scheduled for Sun July 2nd.

Also on the horizon are the Lachlan Valley DGA Mixed 4-Ball, scheduled for Sunday July 23 at Parkes, and the Mens 4-Ball vs Par, set for Sun 6 August at West Wyalong.

It is crystal ball time: Sat 24 is the 18-hole 4BBB Stroke Championship, sponsored by John Davis Mazda. Who can topple the Dawson/Sallaway pairing? Sunday 25th has the Stableford Medley.

Sat 1 July is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Walkers AgnVet, with the Stableford Medley and the Grenfell Open on Sunday 2 July.

From the Roving Reporter

Saturday 17th June Betta Home Living Sponsored a Stableford competition in One Division and the lucky Winner was Denise Squires with the Runner Up being Jill Cripps with both winning a ball and what a fabulous new shop to have in Forbes, thank you for your sponsorship.

NTP 9th Ethel Coombs and 18th Colleen Venables. Wednesday 21st the Ladies played a Stroke Competition in Two Divisions which was sponsored Robbs Jewellers who have bee long time sponsors, Division One Winner was Heather Davidson 73 nett and had NTP 9th, Division Two Winner Jill Morgan 71 nett and NTP 18th, good playing girls. Ball Sweep went to J Morgan, H Duff, E Coombs, and E Baker (71 on a count back).

4BBB Championships sponsored by Carolyn Duncan is this Saturday, if you have not had time to find a partner just ring the pro shop as often there is someone else looking for a partner. Robin on Cards.

Next Wednesday is a Shot Gun Start Stableford Cake Day with Heather on cards.

A few of our ladies have been on road trips with their clubs. Heather Davidson brought home a trophy from Cowra Tournament by winning the Par Event with minus 4 and also had NTP on 7th. Teresa was her traveling friend.

Trangie Tournament held on Tuesday 20th saw Colleen V, Heather D and Robin L head west and came home with good score cards but nothing to show.

It’s great to see people travel as that entices the other clubs to come to our home Tournament each year. Its good golfing weather and please remember June 30 is deadline for collecting any balls you have won.