With birdies on the first, second, fourth and fifth holes coupled by a bogey at the third the 'big town painter' had a round going which looked likely to get the record books 'talking'.

However Shane, like most others, found the longer back nine holes equal to the challenge finishing with nett 67 off his five handicap. After the fifth hole the winning card read further birdies at the ninth and 12^th holes while bogeys at the eighth, 13^th, 14^th, 15^th and 16^th holes filled the card.

Challenging pin placements adding to the conversation in the Golfie Hotel after play where the 11^th green took more then its share of victims with three, four and even five putts recorded.  But not for Dave Rhodes who played consistently all over to finish runner-up in A grade with nett 69.  

The same score, 69 nett, had the 2018 Improver of the Year in Greg Webb (handicap 22) leading the pack taking out B grade from Bob Borger (handicap 18) with 72 nett on a count-back.   

While on good scoring we should mention the round by our resident professional with Simon (Houston) finishing three under par 69 after birdies at the second, fifth, seventh, 15^th and 16^th while taking bogeys at the 11^th (three putts?) and the 12^th, a sign even the best can drop a shot at one of the easier holes.  

Nearest the pins on Saturday, Robert Webb at the ninth down the middle Milton Cartwright on the 18^th. Ball sweep to 75 nett on a count-back – Shane Sallaway 67 nett, Greg Webb 69, Dave Rhodes 69, Paul Kay 71, James Earl 71, David Earl 71, Peter Dawson 72, Bob Borger 72, Ted Morgan 72, Barry Shine 72, Les Little 72, Andrew Dukes 73, John Betland 73, Max Haley 73, Ray Taylor 74, Neil McMillan 74, Martin Cahill 74, Brian Doyle 75 on count-back.

Sunday's winner was Bess Shields with 33 points on a count-back from Barb Drabsch. Bess also won nearest the pin on the ninth hole. Events coming up – this Saturday will be stroke for the Monthly Medal and sponsored by Walker Ag-N-Vet.

Sunday is the usual Stableford medley while the Caragabal Open will be contested. Saturday and Sunday week (July 14, 15) will be the Men's Foursomes Championships sponsored by S and S Welsh Transport.

Also worth noting is the LVDGA Mixed four Ball Championships at Grenfell on Sunday, July 22. $20 per player with noms to gdabs@bigpond.net.au or the Forbes Pro Shop. August 5 will see another major here in Forbes with the staging of the the GolfNSW Keno Men's four Ball District Final.

August 4, 5 will see the well supported Temora Open played with the Saturday evening dinner have Kerry O'Keffe as guest speaker. Nominations are still open for the Wallace Cup.

News from the Green keepers Shed' highlights how important it is to replace divots, and that included the tee, along with pitch marks on the greens.

It appears some are using the course as a practice range with a batch of pitch marks from the one spot on the fairway then pitch marks on the accompanying green spotted. This is not on. If you witness this, tell the culprit we have a practice range and green for this purpose.

Also, if you drive a cart it has been requested that you don't drive next to the green, give the fringe of the greens a chance for growth during these cold nights and days.

The major reason for the removal of the five trees is to let in some sunlight helping to maintain grass growth which was struggling due to the shadows over a major part on the green all day.

The 'update' on these works is on the notice board of the Pro Shop. Update notice in the Pro Shop on the third reads - “Areas to the left hand (northern) side of the third green are marked as GUR following tree felling and the removal of stumps, and while additional works are being undertake to create landscaped moulds in that area.

“Players are advised that if a ball finishes in any of these marked areas they are to take a drop at the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole (rule 25-1b(I)).

“Naturally players are requested to abide by any GUR markings enacted during the re-modelling process, and to allow course staff to conduct their activities safely”.

To finish these works mounds will be laid beside the green and planted with native and fescue grasses which will add to a feature of the green.

While on course maintenance trees with low hanging branches are all marked to be trimmed in coming weeks making for easier rough mowing saving valuable time.

Golfers will also notice in coming weeks trenching taking place connecting dry area to the fairway watering system. Greens renovations are also on the horizon, so there is still plenty happening regarding the Forbes golf course.

On that, now is the time to have your say on the future of golf. It is your game, so please attend the FSC/FGA Strategic Planning Meeting set down for Thursday, July 12 from 5.30pm to 7pm, upstairs in the Golfie Hotel.

The meeting has been organised by the FGA and Shire Council to provide a forum for discussing the future of your golf course and the involvement of the Forbes Shire.

Topics to be covered include 1) the priorities of the association members, 2) establishing a 10-year plan for the progression of the course.

Members are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion. An ideal time to be vocal with positive suggestions.

Finally, if you read Vets Golf in Tuesday's Advocate and got a bit lost as to 'who is who', the new players mentioned for mid week golf were Mr Clarke, which is Brian, and Mr Russell, that is Viv. Both are keen sportsman and along with other newer vet golfers are adding to the pleasures of a hit under casual, yet competitive conditions.

For all information on Forbes golf contact the Pro Shop on 6851 1554 or stay up to date on What's Happening at the Golfie by visiting our facebook page. Don't forget membership is now due and payable at the Pro Shop.

-by Short Putt's Mate

The winner of Brons Hair Designs 18 hole  Stableford competition on 30th June was Ethel Coombs on 40 points with sister Bess Shields running second on 35 points with both also winning the ball sweep. NTP 9th Enid Baker and 18th Colleen Venables

Stroke, Monthly Medal and fifth Round Golf NSW Medal was sponsored by Bernardis Marketplace with some very good scores posted. Division One winner was Kerry Stirling 73 on a count-back from Heather Davidson.

Division Two also saw a tight finish with the Winner being Ethel Coombs on 71 with Debbie Tilley with the same score but having to settle for Runner Up. The ball sweep went to Kerry, Heather, Ethel and Debbie. Hot with putter was Ethel with 28 .

Congratulation girls. The winner of the Monthly Medal in Division One was Kerry and Division Two Ethel with Sarah Black winning Division Three on 75.

Coming up this Saturday  is a Stableford sponsored by Shirley Redfern with Judy Hodge on cards. July 11 Is a Stableford sponsored by Meg Schoefield and Judy Hodge with Sally C on cards. Ladies Foursomes Championship 27 holes is on July 14, book a cart early as the mens foursomes is on the same day and always a busy.

-by Roving Reporter

It was good to see a good roll up for the  Ladies and Mens Championships over the week ends of June 17 and 24. The inclement weather of icy cold winds on the 17^th and a pleasant day on the 24th ensured we finished the 54 holes and 36 holes respectively.

A grade champion for 2018 in the Mens was Ron Boness with a 54 hole Scatch score of 244, Runner-up was Robert McIntyre with a 54 hole score of 296. Nearest the pin on sixth and 15th was Neal Herbert. 

Captains Trophy was won by Ron Boness with a net score over 27 holes of 108.5. Presidents Trophy on the 24^th.

was won by Tony Bratton with a net score of 107. Ladies club Champion for 2018 was Marion McIntyre with a 36 hole scratch score of 223, runner-up with a score of 224 was Di Cornelissen .Handicap 36 hole winner was Di Cornelissen with a net score of 158.