Aces, or hole-in-one’s, are the epitome of the perfect outcome for every tee shot. Some top players can go through their careers without one, while an common golfing hack could score a handful. Bruce is neither of those but he did score an ace on the 18^th hole. 

Saturday’s event was an 18 hole Stableford, sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical. The course was electrifying in its condition, and pulsed to the vibes of happy golfers as they sparked that desire to score. Sixty one players ventured out to beat the heat.

The A Division winner was Phil Maher who once again wielded his newish sticks to score 42 points. Eight pars and two birdies set his card up well. Close behind was Scott Kirkman with 41 points. He also had eight pars, but only one birdie and unfortunately the seventh got him. 

The B Division had a plethora of players vying for top spot. In the end Bruce Chandler took the honour with 41 points on countback from Tom Edols (41), who took runner-up on count back from Laurie O’Connor (41) and Stevie G (41). The ace certainly got Bruce over the line.

The ball sweep went to 37 on count-back, going to: 42 – P Maher; 41 – B Chandler, T Edols, L O’Connor, S Kirkman, S Grallelis; 40 – Andy Cogswell, R Borger; 39 – B Shine, P Grayson; 38 – C Alley, B Doyle, R Smith, S McAlister, R Besgrove; 37 – A Rees. Unfortunately Andrew Dukes once again misses out on a ball.

The NTP’s went to: First Marty Cahill, 18^th – Bruce Chandler. Nobody could beat Bruce on the 18^th, but there were a few contenders for the ninth. Marty did get his two, being one of five scored on the day. 

Once again there were minor movements in handicaps. About four players, including ‘On Fire Phil’ dropped a shot, and a couple even gained a shot.

Certainly, the story of the day was Bruce Chandler’s ‘ace’ on the 18^th. He used a five iron, seemed to hit it okay and watched as it landed on the front of the green and rolled forward. His playing partner, Richard Nixon gave commentary – “rolling up the green, towards the pin, and oh, it may have rolled over the back’. Low and behold when they got to the green, it was most definitely in the hole. Well done Bruce.

Another to be in the hole, but of a different sort, was Brian Doyle. His tee shot on the ninth found the bunker. Unfortunately, and most uncharacteristic of him, it took him a few shots to get out. It was not the best, but he still managed 38 points.

The windstorm damage on the course did not really affect the play much. A large branch lying across the 18^th tee shortened the hole only a little. Bruce would still have got his ace, and a large hang-up on the seventh caused some dilemmas. Richard Nixon was forced to chip out sideways to avoid it.

A couple of youngsters were handed a lesson. Tom Edols and Milton Cartwright both showed that a good, smooth swing and consistent accuracy is all that is needed. The youngsters, Barry Shine and Stevie G, were made to marvel often in how the gents could make it look so easy.

Innocent results do occur. Dan Bayley used his nine iron to fire a shot into the 16^th green, and was pleased with the result. 

Maurie Westwood did nothing startling this week. He and good mate Les Little are back into the swing again. Les had a blinder, scoring 42 points off his 36 handicap. Just wait until he gets his proper handicap!

A number of other new players also, on 36, used their handicaps to good effect. I trust they keep this good form going when they get their proper handicap. 

Sunday was Stableford Medley day, played by nine players who all enjoyed their day. It was an all-male day with the ladies on other business. Scores were about average, and for some it was symptomatic of a rusty swing. The winner was Charles Dwyer with 37 points, followed by Steve Betland on 36.

There was no ball sweep, but the NTP’s were well received. The ninth went to Andy Dukes (yeah, he gets a ball!) and the 18^th to Steve Betland. There were no visitors.

Here is the news: Do not forget to sign your cards, as not doing so will remove you from the competition. This Sunday we have a Par-3 comp (sponsored by Brine Cure) where both club players and social players are invited. 

The CWDGA Pennants played the second round last weekend at Bathurst. Our teams did not fare too well, with the twos (3/2) and fours (4/1) losing and the threes winning 3/2. The Division 1 team had a bye. Next week all teams play at Cowra against Bathurst.

For the twos, Cam McMillan was unlucky to lose on the 19^th hole. Neil McMillan was unlucky to just miss an ace on the 8th hole (which was his 17^th of the match). This was a brute on the day, playing into the wind, with bunkers either side of the green.

The iron-man of the day was Richard Smith. His match was all square after 18 holes, requiring him to play on until a result was reached. Finally, on the 22^nd hole he missed a putt which would have carried the match onto another hole. Maybe he just wanted to get back to the clubhouse.

It is crystal ball time: February 17 is scheduled for an 18-hole Stableford comp sponsored by Forbes Bus Lines. February 24 is a 4BBB Par event sponsored by Highland Design. This will test the grey-matter. February 25 is a Stableford Medley.

As we heard towards the latter stages of the ASI Capital sponsored Super Sixes golf comp we can be assured of some exciting events. In the fifteenth round played last week, Brian Doyle stood up to be counted by scoring a hole-in-one.

He scored this on the third hole, watched by a supportive group of players who all gazed in awe then encouraged the ball’s progress with gusto.

The shot, and don’t they always, arched gracefully, landed in line and gently rolled towards the pin to finally drop in the hole. It helped his score, but unfortunately it was not enough to gain a win for his team.

The best Members score of the round was made by Terry Bokeyar, who acknowledged this as his best round ever. His 31 was ahead of Kim Herbert and Kathy Collits who both scored 32.

The best Non-members score was recorded by Andrew Rousell (31.5), with a shot back to Lionel Stevens (32.5) and another one back to Glendon Hooper (33.5).

In the team results there were no scores under 100, perhaps indicating the effect of the heat and or the wind. The best score of 103 was returned by ‘Walkers Two’, followed by three teams on 104.5, being ‘Wanna Wac Em’, Bushrangers and ‘F Troop’.

Once again the range of winning scores crept up to around the 106-108 mark, with the highest winners scoring 114.5. All this means that you have to keep trying, because you do not know what the other team is doing.

There are a number of names in that lot that have not appeared before, which is good. And I note that Alison Baker emulated her husband Ralph’s efforts last week to win a ball.

With three weeks to go let us look at the ‘state of the nation’:

Pool 1 has ‘The Never Coulds’ back in front ahead of ‘Boys and Girls’ by a half point. B&C Auto and Carlton Dry Boys look safe in third and fourth. Pool 2 are still led by ‘Bush Divas’ comfortably ahead of ‘Four n Two’, Minyas and ‘Hit n Miss’.

In Pool 3 ‘Postie Top Six’ are streets ahead. Second spot is now ‘Wanna Wac Em’ who jumped up heaps and sit ahead of Forbes Toyota and Gunns Menswear. And finally, Pool 4 sees Bushrangers well ahead, F Troop comfortably in 2nd, and TBC and Kool Kats in a close contest.

Now is the time to consolidate your position if you are in the top four, and to really pull out the stops if you are ‘just outside the mix’. But best of all, keep laughing.

-by Smooth Swinger