It all began with Saturday’s 18 Hole Stableford, sponsored by Forbes Bus Lines. The scores were that good it seemed that many players had been carried away, perhaps on a ‘Roosters’ tour. The bulk of the field of 67 played early, firstly to beat the heat and secondly to head to the Bedgerabong races.

The A Division winner was Michael Wood who scored 42 points. Everywhere he went on the course he was seen with a smile, which got broader as he cantered home with a 35 and 23 points. A little bit behind was Laurie O’Connor, who similarly scored well on the back nine to finish with 40 points.

The B Division went to a player who enjoys the warmer months, and is in good form. Richard Smith was pleasantly pleased with his 44 points, and even more pleased to finish in front.

One bad hole, the seventh, spoiled what could have been a winning day for Joshua Coulthurst. His 43 could have been better if he had scored a point on the dreaded bogey hole.

The ball sweep went to 36 on count-back, going to: 44 – R Smith; 43 – J Coulthurst; 42 – M Wood; 40 – L O’Connor, N Duncan, B Thomas; 39 – P Dawson; 38 – S McAlister, S Bate, M Collits, P Pymont, J Maloy; 37 – T Griffiths, Martin Woods, C Alley, M Spice; 36 – P Barnes, S Kirkman, D Rhodes.

The NTP’s went to: first Mike Wood, 18^th Bob Borger. Neither got their two, so they could not join the six who did. This week the third succumbed the most, yielding five of them. There were no visitors.

Handicap changes were well received by six players, including Barry Shine, but not so well received by another five, who each lost a shot.

Underlying the good winning scores were a number of tales of woe. High among them were the shanks and multiple putts shared by many players out there. Shanks can be so unexpected and so embarrassing when they happen. One day they appear, then suddenly they are gone, but their shadow remains, so names should not be mentioned.

However, off the 18^th tee Greg Webb managed to shank his tee shot, which flew like a bullet and struck and empty ball bucket on the practice tees. Garry Pymont was practising there and nearly jumped out of his shoes with the bang it made. Enough said.

The 9th hole can be a challenge for many players. For most, just getting over the water is enough. But Rodney Besgrove made it all the more challenging. His tee shot struck the far bank and rolled back, sitting above the water on a patch of dry land. He clambered down, helped by Greg Webb and encouraged Barry Shine, then played a marvellous shot almost straight up and onto the front of the green.

Rod and cart partner Greg Webb really sought the shade at the one-third spot on the course. Greg’s tee shot on the sixth nearly rattled into the toilet block. His only option was to flush it down the 12^th fairway and head for the sixth green that way.

Not to be outdone, Rod sought the shade as he came around again. His tee shot off the 13^th nearly ripped through the half-way house. Despite a clear shot he had trouble with the trees, eventually sneaking past the front of the building and heading down the fifth fairway.

The day cannot go past without mention of the colour on the course. You could find Typhoon Terry easily. He was between the bright red hat and matching startling shorts that were being used as an airport beacon.

And Steve Bate shone brightly also. For his first game in over three weeks he made it look easy, scoring 38 points. How long the form holds will be the question. Perhaps those shadows mentioned above may appear.

A very good A grader was volunteering his advice. He claimed the Taylor Made balls were water balls, as almost every one of his that he hit found the water. Upon hearing this Ray Taylor headed for the water to save his namesakes.

On Sunday there was no Stableford Medley. Instead Club and Social golfers alike played in the second running of the FGC Par three Championships, sponsored by Brine Cure. In all 41 players, 23 Men and 18 Ladies, contested the event, with numbers affected by the Pennants.

The event was run as a Stroke event, with some interesting scores returned. While generally the range of gross scores were similar overall, it was easy to see how a six or seven affected a player’s chances.

The challenge was that even though each hole was a par three, the distances were quite deceptive. Prizes were distributed between Club and Social players. The winners were:

Club Men

Club Ladies

Social

The NTP’s were well received, and went to: Club third hole – Sarah Black, ninth hole – Clayton Alley, 18^th hole – Deb Dingwall. Social third hole – nil, ninth hole – nil, 18^th hole – Scott Webb.

It was a fun day, made possible by a generous sponsor, and an event to look forward to next year.

Here is the news

The CWDGA Pennants played the third round last weekend at Cowra. Our teams had mixed results, with the 1’s (3/2) and 4’s (4/1) winning while the twos (4/1) and 3’s (4/1) lost. Next week all teams play at Parkes

The Division 1 were depleted by the lack of Peter Dawson. He suffered badly the day before and spent Sunday in a hospital bed. Despite his claims he needed recovery, his team mates thought he was shirking his team duties.

An amazing event happened during the Pennants. Niel Duncan played his shot down the fairway. Suddenly another ball appeared in flight, played by a person on the adjacent fairway, and struck Niel’s ball in flight.

It took some time to find each ball, with more amazement as to where they were. The other player’s ball had finished nicely in the fairway, while Niel’s was bounced well away from its intended target.

The Division 4 produced some highlights. Garry Pymont played his best ever nine holes to be three over the card and six holes in front.

Then he faltered but managed a win eventually. Stevie G missed two crucial short putts, on very sloping and quick greens. The last one would have won the match for him, but alas he fell on the 20^th hole.

March 4 we shall be hosting the CWDGA Pennants here. We are the hosts so our teams will not play.

A couple of our teams are in contention so this round will ultimately determine who makes the Finals. Come out and see some really good golfers do their thing. The course will be closed during this play, but open in the afternoon.

On April 8 the LVDGA Pennants and Championships will held at Grenfell. This is an event for all Club players, so mark this in your diary and get along. We need at least six players in each grade for the Pennants, and then there is the Champs.

It is crystal ball time

-by Short Putt

With only two weeks of the ASI Capital sponsored Super Sixes golf comp the results from last week could be the turning point for many teams.

The leaders in three of the groups are unstoppable, but in Group 1 ‘The Never Coulds’ suffered a loss and are now only a half-point ahead of ‘Boys and Girls’.

In the other groups the interest lies in the fourth and fifth positions. Group 2 has two teams tied in fourth, while in Group 3 only a half-point separates ‘Lost in the Trees’ and ‘Gunns Menswear’. In Group 4 Kool Kats sit on a handy two point gap.

The scores this week were competitive but no outlandish, maybe as a result of the handicaps tightening up. The best Members score of the round was made by Dave Earl with 31.5. 

He headed Marie Read (32) and Liz Ridley (32.5). 

The best Non-members score was a tidy 31 by Mike Prior, followed by Brian Asimus (32.5) and Angus Baker (34).

Once again the team scores were all over 100. The best of the round was 102.5 scored by Forbes Toyota, just ahead of Golfie Pub on 103. 

They were both winners by good margins. In most of the other matches, the winning margin was often less than five points, with three only being half point margins. Oh the pain!

The ball/money voucher winners for each Pool are:

Pool 1 – Dave Earl, Marie Reda, Brian Asimus, Phil Dukes, Greg Webb, Adam Borger, John Betland.

Pool 2 – Mike Prior, Geoff Tilley, John Hyde, Jeff House, Julie Wood, Niel Duncan, Denise Squires.

Pool 3 – Angus baker, Brendan Turner, Terry Shannon, Karl Biles, Greg Hanns, Don Ridley, Geoff Betland.

Pool 4 – Liz Ridley, Hamish Steel-Park, Ralph Baker, Lyn Kennedy, Helen Duff, Darren Clarke, Ros Saillard.

It seems you only need a low-30’s score now, but maybe that is an illusion. And it is always pleasing to see first-timers win something. Whereas others who have tried bribing a senior officer, seem to have managed without a favourable adjustment to their handicaps.

A scan across the Pool Points Tables throws up some interesting notes. In Pool 1 the Golfie Pub are definitely enjoying their games too much as they seem to have forgotten how to score, except for this week. Pool 2 has The Avengers and Walkers Two competing for the bottom rung.

Walker One in Pool 3 are also looking for the Wooden Spoon honours, but with a points total far below their second team. South leaders in Pool 4 are very lonely, as they continue to head south towards the Pole.

In the draw for the penultimate wee we look at the critical matches and see Carlton Dry Boys and Coffee Club, in Pool 1, are up against tough opposition, while Pool 2 sees Hit n Miss with a chance to secure fourth spot. Lost in the Trees in Pool 3 seem to have an advantage, and Pool 4 has sure fire winner in Kool Kats.

Keep your focus and aim for the pin, unlike one Sixes player this week who knocked a duck on the head and made it unconscious. After a while the duck wobbled away, while the golfer was faced with a bunker Shot. A least you got a birdie Deb!

-by Smooth Swinger