The A-Grade winner was Peter Nixon. He was surprised to see that his score of 75 nett was enough to take the Medal honours. Runner-up, on count-back, was Ecky Dawson on 76 nett. 

The B grade produced the best score of the day. Graham Newport revived memories of old to fire a nett 70. Five pars and a birdie were inspirational. Runner-up was Martin Cahill, whose 73 nett was very gallant indeed. With one par and two birdies, one of which was a very lovely two on the third hole, he felt confident of earning a prize. But once again the back nine got him.

The C grade was very well contested, producing a wide range of results. Ash Tucker managed a well compiled 71 nett on the back of seven pars. He was concerned when he managed to record three 8’s, two of which were on the back-9. Runner-up was Graeme Hopkins, who was especially pleased to enter the winners circle. His 73 nett included five pars, two of which were made on the 2nd and the 15th and which brought high satisfaction.

The ball sweep went to 76 nett on count back, going to: 70 – G Newport; 71 – A Tucker; 73 – G Hopkins, M Cahill; 74 – B Slack-Smith, A Borger, D Clarke, F Hanns; 75 – P Nixon; 76 – G Webb, P Dawson, B Everest, K Herbert, J Betland, P Barnes, J Haley, S French.

The NTP’s went to: ninth Richard Nixon; 18^th Paul Kay. There were only three twos, with Marty Cahill (3rd) and Paul Kay (18th) showing real class. There were no visitors.

Many players were surprised by their scores. Greg Webb had ups with two good pars on the ninth and 18^th, but downs with numerous sevens and a nine. Paul Kay was pleased with his putting all day, especially on the 18^th for two but had stumbles on 13 and 15.

Unfortunately Geoff Coles could not emulate his performance of last week, but he was pleased with his putts. Todd Callaghan was not altogether pleased with his putts, managing a five putt on one hole. Despite scoring well, Ash Tucker’s three eights had his partners wondering about his commitment.

There were a number of perfect scores, otherwise known as ‘Bo Dereks’. Darren Clark had trouble on the 13^th, Stevie G had issues with the creek and trees on 15, Maurie Westwood was ambushed by the fourth and Alex McKinnon recorded one on the 17^th to end what was a tiring day. Yes, those tens can really wreck a card.

Both the trees and fast paced trees caught many players out. However, Geoff Drane did not encounter any of these on the first hole. Instead he had issues with the Oleandar bushes. This caused a disturbing start to the front-9, which he repeated at the start of the back-9. Otherwise his game was good.

Of disturbing note, but perhaps what could be deemed a gold mine for Simon, were the high number of ‘shanks’ observed on the course. It seems as if many players are suddenly losing their rhythm, or something. Stevie G had three, possibly trying to better Les Little’s record from the previous week.

On Sunday the 27-hole Mixed Foursomes Championship was played. Among the fifteen pairings who participated there was much hilarity generated, a ‘Zorro-like’ performance by the winners, and luckily no divorces.

The Scratch winners were A Dukes/ S Crosby with a total of 131. Their win was set up by a steadfast 85 scratch on the first 18-holes, giving them a five point lead which they held to the end. Consistency was their keynote to success, with five pars and only one blemish on the 12^th. Scratch Runners-up, on count-back, were A Grierson / K Stirling with 136 total.

The Handicap Winner honours also went to Dukes/Crosby, with a total of 109.5. Once again this was a winning margin of five strokes over second place, which this time went to Stephen and Eve Uphill on 114.5. The Uphills produced the best Nett on the final nine, but they could not overcome some unfortunate penalties incurred on the ninth hole.

The ball sweep went to 116.5, going to: Dukes/Crosby, Uphill/Uphill, A Cogswell/Davies, Taylor/Cripps. The NJTP’s went to: ninth D Rhodes; 18^th T Griffiths.

In fact, the ninth hole brought many pairings undone, especially on the final nine. The real shocker was a nine recorded by Tucker/Tilley, whose drawing of what happened (and it needed a drawing!) has us all confused.

This format puts subconscious pressure on all players to do well. Every player tries to do well on their drives to give their partner the best chance, and each player tries harder to make up for any short-comings of their partner. This can lead to trouble.

There were many tee shots that tried to get the ball in good position, but instead finished in positions among the trees. The overzealous gentleman approach, Dave Rhodes stepped in to the creek bed on the fourth, intending to play his partner’s shot onto the green. His feet sinking into the mud should have been a warning, but he swung away, produced a huge globule of mud and moved the ball about a foot. Julie’s common sense prevailed and she took the penalty playing the next shot from the safety of the bank. Their eight there hurt the score, as did the nine on the sixth hole in the final nine.

Sunday the Club hosted a round of the ‘Juniors on the Move’ programme, run by JNJG. Simon Houston had things running smoothly for the junior participants in their nine hole and six hole comp. Players came from around the central West.

In the nine hole event, the winner was John Keegan (Orange) with a 55 scratch/ nett 26. Runner-up was Reece Robinson (Bathurst) with 57/28. In the six hole event, the winner was Maiv Dorman (Bathurst) with 40/23, and the Runner up was Isaac Findlay (Dubbo) with 41/25. Thank you to those Mixed Foursomes players who allowed the Juniors to play through and finish their comp.

Here is the News: The Can-Assist four Person Medley Ambrose will be run this weekend. The tee time sheet is in the Pro Shop so get your names down early to help the catering arrangements. 

It is crystal ball time: Saturday, June 9 we have the Can-Assist four person Medley Ambrose. A 18-Hole Stableford events on both Sunday, June 10 and Monday, June 11.

-by Short Putt

Another busy week on our course and away. The biggest surprise was the win by team Forbes at Bathurst last Friday 1st June in the our first round of Pennants. The Forbes team consisted of Heather Davidson(Captain), Ev Uphill, Sally Crosby, Jenny Fletcher and Kerry Stirling with a close 3/2 victory.

The same team play Duntraleague at Forbes next Friday, June 15 which will be another challenging match up. The Monthly Medal and putting competition was played on June 2 with the Veterans Country Championships. Winner Division One Robin Lyell (79) and Division Two Jill Cripps (73). NTP ninth Barb Drabsch and 18^th Robin Lyell. Sweep to Jill and Ethel(75).

Monthly Medal Winner Division One Julie Hurkett, Two Ethel Coombs and Three Jill Cripps and the best putter of the day was Bess Shields  (28). Kerry Stirling and Heather Davidson returned from Trangie Tournament on June 5 with plenty of dust and trophies. Kerry was runner up in A grade with 69 Net and Heather NTP in A grade and winner of the front nine.  Back to Forbes for the Bernie Horan Builders sponsored four BBB V Par on Wednesday for the qualifier for the district final at Trangie on August 17 where 28 players enjoyed another mild day out.

Colleen Bratton partnered Bess Shield for the win on a count-back with plus five from Marie Reid and and Colleen Venables, both teams are off to Trangie. Unlucky to miss out on plus five was Enid Baker and Sarah Black. NTP ninth Julie Hurkett and 18^th Janet Smith. Sweep went to the six on plus five.

Congratulations to all the winners over the past week and look forward to the golf coming up. Next Wednesday is a Stableford, sponsored by Just Jane's Hair Salon for those who are not going to Cowra Tournament with Sal Perry on cards. The First Round of the Dot Coady Match play is to be played by June 18.

-by Roving Reporter