Forbes Golfing Goodness

In the A Division, Robb Webb set the early mark with a very fine 38 points. A slightly scratchy front nine was backed up by a very creditable back nine that recorded 22 points. In perspective, Robb stared well then lost energy coming home. Runner-up on count back was Doug Churchill. Doug’s core was more even across each half, and he did not have any wipes, but Robb had the wood on him.

The B Division had all the excitement, with players shooting 40 points or more. But the loudest buzz was for Geoff Coles, who started his round with an ‘oh no, not again after last weekend’ scenario. But he steadied the ship and really turned the skilful display on in the front nine, scoring 27 points, and recording 42 overall. In runner-up was Frank Hanns, who played steady golf on each half, and finished with 40 points. His even split got him ahead on count back from Clayton Alley, who was a bit uneven in his split.

The all-important Wilf Hodges Memorial Trophy is awarded to Geoff Coles, with 42 Stableford Points.

The ball sweep went to 36 points on count back, with the lucky recipients being: 42 – G Coles; 40 – F Hanns, C Alley; 39 – G Webb; 38 – R Webb, D Churchill; 37 – A Borger, R Nixon, S Bate, P Grayson; 36 – H Steel-Park, D McAuliffe, J Haley, T Callaghan, R Smith, M Collits.

The NTP’s went to: ninth – J Maloy; 18^th – R Taylor. James got his two, but Ray missed out. But both of them were pleased to have a highlight for the day after the score they submitted. A visitor from West Australia, Chris Hollingworth (Joondalup) managed the course very well.

Geoff Coles was extremely pleased with his round. His efforts last week were possibly the worst he had ever made, and to come out with such excitement this week was especially pleasing.

He and his partner Peter Grayson were hard to beat in their group match. Things were pretty even after the first nine holes with no player showing any brilliance. But then Geoff started the second nine to seal the deal. Geoff chipped in for two on the first hole, and had one-putt pars for the next four holes. To say his partner Peter Grayson was excited is an understatement.

Maurie Westwood had another good day, but this time had to play second fiddle to Frank Hanns as he posted a good score. The good scoring was reflected in the change sin handicaps, with five players losing a shot (including Greg Webb) and one player gaining a shot (for which Les Little is very thankful).

Sunday had two events at which the Forbes players provided excitement. The first was the usual Sunday Medley, with a small band of players zipping around the course. There were three men among a bevy of ladies in the field.

Colleen Bratton was very excited to win the honours, having given up hope after so many near-misses. Her 37 points placed her ahead of runner-up Ray Taylor. He was pleased with his 36 points, but in his gentlemanly way he stepped aside for Colleen, whilst be-moaning a few missed putts. There was no ball sweep. The NTP’s went to: ninth – Jill Cripps; 18^th – Ethel Coombs.

The second event at which Forbes provided excitement was at the West Wyalong Open. A good field of 82 players contested the event, with 19 players from Forbes participating. Players from Temora, Grenfell, Condobolin, Wagga, Young, Lake Cargelligo, and more attended. Local players did take many honours, but Forbes players were also well represented in the prize list.

The top prize, the West Wyalong Open Champion and A-Grade Scratch winner, went to Dan Bayley of Forbes, with a scratch score of 72. He was often seen well off the side of the fairway, but always managed to get himself into a scoring position.

Other Forbes prize winners were: Greg Webb C-grade runner/up; Peter Nixon A grade NTP and Steve Grallelis C grade NTP. A good day for all attendees, with the course presented very well, as long as you stayed on the fairway.

Here is the News

The 27 hole Mixed Foursomes will be played on June 3. If you need a partner, contact your Captain. This is a keenly contested event. The individual form of some of the regular participants has been steadily improving in recent weeks, so a good contest is expected.

Also on June 3, there will be a Junior Golf event, run by Simon Houston. This will showcase some of the best Junior talent around the regional areas, so if you are not playing in the Mixed Foursomes and want to watch some good golf, come out an enjoy their play.

The time sheet for the 2018 Can Assist four person Ambrose is in the Pro Shop. This will be run on June 9, on the long weekend. This is an important event, open to regular and social golfers alike. So get a few buddies together and have a great day of fun, while also assisting to support the Forbes Can-Assist Support Group.

The Men’s Competition sends a special thank you to the Tuesday Golfers group, who have donated funds to cover the sponsorship of three events in the competition calendar.  See the separate story on that.

It is crystal ball time

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, and also a Junior Event.

June is a relatively quiet month and a good time to start the Wallace Cup Matchplay comp. Look out for the Nomination list on the Noticeboard. July has the Mens Foursome Championships, as well as the LVDGA Mixed 4B Champs. More news on those later.

Saturday, May 26 was an 18 hole Stableford sponsored by A Classy Touch Florist and Café. Barb Drabsch was the winner with 35 points on a count-back from Enid Baker. Ball sweep went to Barb and Enid while NTP on the ninth was Heather Davidson and the 18th was Julie Hurkett.

On a much cooler Wednesday, May 30, a good field contested an 18 hole Stableford competition. Played in two divisions it was sponsored by Little Extras.

Winners of Division 1 was Heather Davidson with 34 with Kerry Stirling the runner-up with 31 points. Division 2 was won by Fleur Wells with 32 points and Ev Uphill was the runner-up with 31 points.

NTP on the ninth went to Colleen Venables and on the 18^th Bev Gerdes. Ball Sweep went to H Davidson, K Stirling, F Wells, E Uphill and E Coombs 30 on c/b.

Next Saturday, June 2 is a stroke event sponsored by Barb Drabsch. It is the fourth Round of the Golf NSW Medal also the Monthly Medal and Putting comp. Julie is on the cards.

Wednesday, June 6 is the 4BBB versus Par Qualifying Round WDLGA sponsored by Bernie Horan Builders. Heather and Ev are on cards. Grab a partner and put your name down. Winners are eligible to compete in the final which is at Trangie in August. Upcoming events include Trangie on Tuesday June 5, Can Assist Day Saturday June 9, Cowra Tournament June 13 - 15 and Molong Thursday, June 21.

2018 Women’s Autumn Meeting

Evelyn Uphill, Kerry Stirling and Heather Davidson travelled to Canberra in the first week of May to compete in the Women’s Autumn Golf Tournament. Held over four days at four different courses it was quite a challenging experience with lots of bunkers, kangaroos and interesting pin placements on undulating greens. The weather was terrific for the whole four days.

The first two days were a Stroke Event for Division 1 and a Stableford for Division 2 and were played at Federal Golf Course and Gold Creek. Day three was a foursome event at Fairbairn Golf Course and day four was a Team versus Par event at Yowani Golf Course. Although no trophies were won the results were quite good.  Heather  and Kerry were in Division 1 with Heather finishing 12^th overall and Ev 20^th in Division 2. Each division had around 60 players.  Kerry and Heather finished seventh in the Foursome,  4.5 points behind the leaders while in the teams Kerry and Heather teamed with two ladies from Camden and Wollongong to again finish seventh only two points behind the winners. The experience was great and was an opportunity to play at different courses.

-by Roving Reporter