If you like watching local sport played at its best, you might want to be at the Forbes Golf Club this coming Sunday afternoon.
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Why? Because the 'Battle of the Betlands' is about to take place to see who will be crowned 2017 golf champion of Forbes.
After the first two rounds of the 72-hole championship were played over the weekend, Steve Betland holds a three shot lead over his younger brother John.
Next weekend will decide the best in a family of rare golfing talents.
Saturday's third round will be crucial. If one can make a jump on the other with a sub par round it will only add more pressure to the final 18 holes on Sunday afternoon.
After Saturday's first round John led with a four under score 68 to Steve's par round 72.
All that changed on Sunday with Steve playing faultless golf 'hitting' all greens in regulation except for the third to finish with five under par 67.
A round which included three birdies and an eagle three on the tough par five seventh.
On the other hand, as John put it, he was 'all over the shop for lots of bogies' struggling to finish with two over par 74.
The writing was on the wall for Steve to jump to the half way lead after stating on Saturday evening, “I hit all the fairways today except two”, remembering his drives are all around the 300 metre mark.
With combined scores of, Steve 139, John 142 next best in A grade are Daniel Bayley (78, 73) 151, Mick Wood (76, 81) 157 and Mark Collits (82, 78) 160.
Three other grades contest the mens section.
In A Reserve (handicap 8-12) Bruce Carpenter leads with 166 from Barry Shine 168, in B grade (13-19) Mick Spice and defending champion Ian Bown share the lead on 172 while in C grade (20-36) Rodney Joseph Besgrove leads with 186 from Golfie Hotel host Ash Tucker 189.
Ladies also played their first two rounds last weekend where Julie Hurkett and Jenny Fletcher share the lead in Division 1 with identical rounds, 91, 93 (184).
In Division 2 Briana Duncan has a handy lead after rounds of 98, 96 (194) from Ev Uphill 101, 100 (201).
Thirty-six holes next weekend will see who is the best over all grades in the Golf Club 2017 championships.
