In typical dry wintery conditions the Forbes golfers ventured onto the course, suitably attired for cold temperatures and lazy breezes. But some players created their own heating by scorching around the course to produce some near-record scores.

Saturday was an 18-hole Individual Stroke event, sponsored by Country Mile Motor Inn. There were many players wishing they were in the warmth of a cosy motel room, but nevertheless the field of 60 players showed just how tough they were. The later starters seemed to dominate the scoring, so undoubtedly the early starters were concentrating on keeping warm.

The A Division winner was Dan Bayley who was ‘on fire’ in producing a scratch 70, nett 65 score. He had 36 on the front nine where a bogey on the first was cancelled out with a birdie on the sixth. His back nine was notable for a stretch of three holes – eagle on 15, birdie on 16 and bogey on 17. Runner-up was Barry Shine with nett 69. He was certainly riding high after receiving a notable award, and appeared to revel in the conditions producing a 41-40 pairing.

The B Division title went to Anthony Alley with a nett 71 and on count-back. His round was notable for an eagle on the fourth, but which was tempered somewhat by a nine on the sixth. Runner up was Richard Smith, who also had a nine but was steadier throughout. If only he had more handicap.

The ball sweep went to 75 nett on count back, going to: 65 – D Bayley; 69 – B Shine, T Cogswell; 70 – T Callaghan; 71 – A Alley, R Smith; 72 – R Webb, G Drane, J Betland, A Rees, ; 73 – S Grallelis, B Slack-Smith; 74 – R Morris, T Griffiths; 75 – Martin Woods, S Sallaway.

The NTP’s went to: ninth – T Callaghan; 18^th – Martin Woods. They both got their twos and were among the six who were successful. The only visitor was Stuart Hayes (Murrumbidgee GC) who was pleased to be in warmer climates.

Anthony Alley will remember his tee shot on the 4th hole for a long time. He launched into the shot, aiming to get close to the green. The ball (as watched by a player in the proceeding group) hit the green, bounced and got tangled in the flag, then dropped to stop inches from the hole. No doubt Anthony will lie in bed at night wondering why it did not go in.

Another delight was a hole-in-one by Stevie G. Once again it was on the 18^th, but unfortunately it was the hole around the sprinkler at the back of the green and not the hole with the flag in it. Oh well, at least his aim was good.

Another player with good aim was Paul Kay. By his own admission he hit every tree along the 11^th, but while his vision was 20/20 he did not score a ‘Bo Derek’.

A number of players tried for the perfect score but fell short, with Andy Cogswell and Anthony Alley both having two nines each. However, Maurie Westwood did rattle up a few. He had a number of close calls (nines), one Bo Derek and one ‘Bo Derek Plus’

But the trophy this week goes to Marty Cahill with a ‘13’. This is a tale of epic proportions, but I will only give a brief synopsis. The scene was set on the 15^th when his tee shot hit the trees and rebounded onto the tenth. He aimed to lay-up over the creek, but instead finished under the bridge, nestled in a mud crack. The ball ‘was definitely his’ so he played, moved it a little, then played again getting out of the creek.

On inspection it was not his ball (same brand, same number but different markings), and casting around he found his ball in the creek. He took a penalty drop, correctly, played towards the green and eventually with two putts scored a ‘13’.

Someone else to play the wrong ball was Al Rees. But for that two shot penalty he would have won the day. Also caught out but in a different way was Scott Kirkman. Scanning his card it showed an ‘18’ on the 18^th. On closer inspection his signature had touched a couple of boxes giving him a 3+7+8. The score was corrected.

And for some good fortune, there was one group where all four tee shots on the 18^th made it onto the green. However, of those, three of them had three putt finishes. Such is golf.

The Stableford Medley on Sunday was played by a small group. Such was the weather that only three brave Ladies ventured out, and all of whom deserve a prize. However, the day belonged to Ethel Coombs with 31 points. There was no runner up and no ball sweep.

Additionally there was only one NTP, which was on the 18th and went to Ethel Coombs. It was certainly worth the day for her.

Here is the News

The nomination sheet for the Wallace Cup is on the Pro Shop Notice Board. Please get your name there so that a draw can be made and the ‘Cup’ play can begin. This is a match play event, played on handicap. As seen by recent years, the handicap can easily oust a ‘gun’ player, but as always the good players (of any handicap) reach the top.

Al players are advised that on July 11 the Forbes Shire and the FGA will be running a ‘Strategic Planning Workshop’ at the Golfie. The Management Committee would like players from all representative groups – Men’s, Ladies, Vets, Pennants teams, Juniors, Social golfers, and more – to attend and provide their ideas on how the golf club can succeed into the future.

The Worksop will be run from 5:30pm – 7pm, allowing time for those interested to get to another venue to watch ‘the Game’.

Players are also reminded that there are a couple of important LVDGA Championship events coming up. First, there is the Mixed 4Ball Championships to be held on July 22 at Grenfell. Grab your partner and go for a spin.’

Then there is the Men’s 4BBB Championship being held at Forbes on August 4, and at which players from all LVDGA clubs will be attending. The number of participants determines how many pairings go through to the Regional Final at Bonville. This is a great experience, so the more the merrier will ensure more opportunity to gain a guernsey.

There will be an opportunity for players to compete in a nine hole event, from which the winner will have an opportunity to win a round of nine holes on the third day of the Australian Open, to be held in November. The date for the nine hole event is yet to be set but will be in September or October.

While there will be some new rules governing golf coming into force from Jan 2019, players are reminded of existing rules still in place. One such rule as a matter of etiquette is to not extract your ball from the hole by scooping it with your putter. This can and does damage the hole, and can lead to a penalty being invoked.

It is crystal ball time

Saturday, June 23 we have a 4BBB Stroke Championship, sponsored by John Davis Mazda. On Sunday, June 24 is the Medley Stableford.

Saturday, June 30 is an 18-Hole Stroke event sponsored by Forbes TV and Video Repairs, with the Stableford Medley on Sunday, July 1.

- by Short Putt

Well a little bit of rain over the past few weeks has started to green the course and the run is not as much as in  summer.

 Saturday, June 2 the club held an 18 hole Stableford event in quite nice conditions, Men’s winner was Colin Britt with a good score of 35 points

Second was Donal Mckeowen with 32 points (still protecting his handicap). Ladies winner was Maureen Boness with 37 points no nearest the pin was won.

Sunday, June 10 was the Bogan Gate Church Charity Day ,in lovely conditions an excellent roll-up of players which turned into 12 teams each having four players in an Ambrose event. 

It was good to see several players from Parkes and Forbes contesting the event, thankyou all for your participation in the event.

Winning team was Simon Haustens with a net score 53.5, second was the team of Blake and Myles Smith at the helm with a net score of 583/8, third was Phil Barnardes team with a net score of 63.25, fourth team was  Brenden  Besgraveswithe 63.5.

Raffle prizes were won by Don McKeowen. Barbara Pascol, and John McDonald. A three Stooges T-Shirt auction which was donated by Eddie and Cindy from the Bogan Gate Hotel the bidding was successfully won by Brett Blunden.

A most enjoyable day was had by all, a big thank you to the ladies who  prepared all the food. The Bogan Gate United Church wishes to thank all participants for their support.