Three days of golf in sunny albeit chilly conditions ensured the Forbes golfers had a weekend to remember.
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Saturday was a Stroke event, sponsored by B&C Autos. Many golfers had played in the Legends Pro-Am the day before so were all revved up and keen to drive straight and true. However, many of the field of 65 managed to find ways to drop shots rather than compile good scores.
In the A-division, Neil McMillan was able to put into practice the results of his recent lessons and be glad of some success. His 70 nett earned him the winner’s spot, but only on count back from Stuart French (70 nett), who finally found some good form.
The B-division showed the value of experience. All the stars aligned for Andrew McDonald to score a 67 nett and take the honours. An errant eight’ on the seventh hole was a smudge on an otherwise good card. Runner-up was Tom Edols (68) who showed that straight and consistent can return a good score. His 68 nett did not include any birdies, but he mastered the par-3’s really well.
The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, with the lucky recipients being: 67 – A McDonald; 68 – T Edols, F Donohoe; 69 – B Squires, D Rhodes; 70 – N McMillan, S French; 72 – R Taylor, T Griffiths; 73 – D Bayley, P Pymont, M Collits, L Byrne; 74 – M Westwood, R Borger, P Dawson, C McMillan.
The NTP’s were well contested, mainly because everybody tries to get close. The better shooters were: ninth – A Borger; 18th – S Sallaway. The smooth greens probably contributed to there being only nine twos with them evenly spread across the divisions. There were no visitors.
An extra inducement for good play was provided by a ‘NTP on third shot’ for all the par- fives. This was sponsored by Fred Collie, as a ‘Farewell Hooray’ for all the good times he has had in Forbes. The winners of these NTP’s were: second – D Rhodes, sixth – M Collits, seventh – R Nixon, 15th – P Dawson.
This novelty produced some interesting tactics. Some of the longer hitters deliberately missed the green in two, so that they had a chance to chip real close. The best exponent of this tactic was Ecky Dawson, whose chip on the 15th finished only two inches from the hole.
Mark Collits was in the final group, and was determined to get the NTP on the 6th. He did this with a classy chip that edged out Robb Webb who had been in the very first group.
The course certainly had the upper hand on most occasions. Aside from the winners, some players did produce good rounds of golf. Notable among them were Maurie Westwood (nett 74) and Linden Byrne (74), who are not regular names on the leader board. Maurie was especially pleased with his day. He managed to hood-wink a couple of esteemed golfers and with two shots on every hole on the back nine easily took out Medallion money.
However, in the nature of Ying-Yang there were some shockers to balance out the good stuff. Despite his good round, Maurie did have an air swing. It was a beautiful swing, which resulted in an athletic pose at the finish, but missed the ball by a good ten cms.
Les Little tried a new category for prizes. He was trying to set a record for most shanks in a round, using every club in his bag. He had a few, but not with all clubs. Some players merely had trouble with the trees, Geoff Coles among them.
With the creek being dry, some players are finding novel ways to play the water hazard. There are players, like Peter Grayson, who venture onto the dry mud seeking to save a shot. And then there are those who want to use the dry areas that are usually covered in water.
Andrew Dukes was playing the ninth, and looking for something new. He used a wedge and hit it very low, akin to a worm-burner. His ball bounced into the dry creek, ran across the mud, sneaked through a few gaps in the rocks and finished on the green. This was a shot that was not affected by the wind at all. He did score a par.
On Friday, the 2018 Legends Pro-Am was staged. This was the third year of this event and once again was well supported by The Forbes Shire and local businesses. There was strong support from local club Ladies and Men players, and from around the State with 15 Clubs being represented, resulting in a field of 110 players.
The 32 Legends Professionals all proclaimed the course very challenging. A few of them had worse scores than the club players in their groups. But all of them were a pleasure to play alongside.
This year there were joint winners on one under were – M Petersen (Bega), J Onions (Victoria) and B Mawhinney (Young). The results for the Club players are:
- Ladies Stableford – K Fay-Rice (Pks) 34 on c/b
- Ladies S’ford R-up – J Fletcher (Fbs) 34
- A-grade Scratch – J Carpenter (Fbs) 80
- A-grade Stableford – P Dawson (Fbs) 39
- A-grade S’ford R-up – D Lester (Botany) 37
- B-grade Scratch – D Brown (Parkes) 84
- B-grade Stableford – G Newport (Fbs) 36
- B-grade S’ford R-up – S French (Fbs) 34 on c/b
- C-grade Scratch - I Wheeler (Dubbo) 90
- C-grade Stableford – B Gallagher (Dunedoo) 36 on c/b
- C-grade S’ford R-up – C Alley (Fbs) 36
NTP’s were held on all par threes for the Pros, and various holes for the Club players. A general listing is:
Pros – J Martin, J Onions, S Ford, N Ratcliffe
Club – K Fay-Rice, H Davidson, B Tooth, K Sly, K Sanderson, T Cogswell, A Deane, P Dawson.
The Pros showed that they can get NTP’s as well as the club players. Noel Ratcliffe’s shot to the 18th hit the big gum on the right, rattled around the branches, popped onto the green and ran to the pin. Easy as! And the club players showed the Pros a thing or two. Bede Tooth managed an eagle on the fifth with an approach shot that rolled into the hole. Again, easy as!
Once again a very successful event, with many, Pros and Club players alike, vowing to return again.
Here is the News
Competition play on Saturday will commence from the tenth tee for all games. This will ensure that the area behind the tenth tee and near to the 15th green will be clear by the mid-afternoon to allow a private function to be held.
Do not forget that the 27-Hole Mixed Foursomes will be played on June 3 and not Sunday, May 27. Sort your partner out now.
The 2018 Can-Assist four person Ambrose will be run on Saturday, June 9, on the long weekend. Get a few buddies together and have a great day of fun, while also assisting to support the Forbes Can-Assist Support Group. Put your name on the tee sheet in the Pro Shop.
It is crystal ball time
Saturday, May 26 is the 18-hole Stableford for the Wilf Hodges Memorial Trophy. And on Sunday, May 28 there is the West Wyalong Open, or a Stableford Medley at home.
Saturday, June 2 is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by BWR Accountants and Advisors. Sunday, June 3 will see the 27-hole Mixed Foursomes being played.
-by Short Putt
Ladies Golf
May has been a busy month for golfers who have taken advantage of the mild fine conditions at home and afar. The latest results are from the home club on Wednesday 23rd where a Stableford sponsored by Helen Duff and Sally Perry was played and Division One won by Kerry Stirling (38) with runner up Colleen Bratton 34.
Division Two winner Sally Crosby on a countback from Sally Perry (34). Nearest the Pin ninth and 18th Heather Davidson. Ball Sweep to K Stirling C Bratton, S Crosby, S Perry E Baker, B Drabsch, D Squires. Best of our girls in Ladies Division in Legends Pro Am on Friday, May18 was Jenny Fletcher being runner Up with 34.
On Saturday, May 19 Debbie Dingwall sponsored a Stableford in One Division which was won by Enid Baker (37) NTP ninth Enid Baker and 18th Sarah Black.
Wednesday, May 16 Elders Insurance sponsored a Stableford in One Division and winner was Sarah Black on a count-back from Sally Perry (35), NTP ninth Denise Squires and 18th Doreen Barnes. Sweep to S Black, S Perry and E Baker(32).
Stroke on May 12 and three Round Golf NSW Medal was won by Eily Hush(72) NTP 9th Robin Lyell this was sponsored by Gottaluvit. Congratulations to everyone that has enjoyed success this month.
Western Districts Ladies Golf Tournament was played at Bathurst this year from 15 to 17th May with 170 competitors from 18 clubs throughout the central west, how lucky we were to have ideal conditions and all the creeks running through the course were dry so very few lost balls. Seven Forbes girls participated on the first two days of stroke.
Heather Davidson was runner up in Division 2 Handicap over 36 holes and second in the scratch over 18 holes. Division Three Handicap Ev Uphill was runner up over 36 Holes and scratch winner on Day One 18 holes.
Sally Crosby was third in Division Three 36 Hole Handicap and scratch winner on day two over 18 holes. Kerry Stirling, Judy Hodge, Robin Lyell and Teresa Armitage also played in the tournament.
Next year it will be held in Dubbo.
Next Wednesday, May 30 the monthly shotgun start Cake Day sponsored by Little Extras with Alison on cards. Mixed Foursomes Championships 27 holes Sunday, June 3. Forbes Pennants Team is heading to Bathurst on Friday, June 1 to take on Bathurst. Good Luck.
-by Roving Reporter