In what can only be described as fine wintery weather, golfers contested the Foursomes Championships.
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The event played over two days, and for which the sponsorship by S&S Welsh Transport is greatly appreciated. Without that, who could travel the fairways or load up their swing to great effect?
The first day, Saturday 14 July, had 24 pairings contesting the event. This traditionally is the day to establish a good rapport with your partner as you alternate shots around the course, and by so doing get the pairing into a position to take the honours on the second day.
Early form was shown by Andrew Dukes and Shane Sallaway, who returned with a 76 Scratch result. They did remarkably well, as each of them were observed playing recovery shots from among the trees. Highlights of their round were a birdie on the fourth, made by Andrew playing from the dry dam, and a birdie on the 18th after a very good tee shot by Shane.
Only one shot behind loomed the formidable pairing of Steve Betland and Mark Collits. Birdies on the eighth, 12th and 15th kept their score intact. This promised to be a shoot-out for the second day.
The Day one Handicap leaders were Dukes/Sallaway (70.5) from Brett Thomas and Ash Tucker on 71.5. They managed to fight back from a ’Bo Derek’ on the 2nd, and used their handicap well.
The Day one ball sweep went to 75 nett on count back, going to: 70.5 – Dukes/Sallaway; 71.5 – Thomas/Tucker; 73.5 – Churchill/A Borger; 74 – R Nixon/N Duncan; 75 – Bayley/Dawson, N McMillan/B Carpenter, S Betland/Collits.
The NTP’s went to: ninth – B Carpenter; 18th – S Sallaway, with only Andy Dukes finishing his partner’s shot for a two. That was the solitary two for the day.
As usual this format requires partners to not say ‘sorry’, as there is usually a balancing out of shot mistakes. However, some shots do present a challenge which can be met with aplomb.
Rob Webb was faced with a near impossible shot. His partner, Dave Rhodes, while playing the 15th had put their second shot smack behind the big gum on the Ladies tenth tee, preventing any view of the 15th green. Rob managed to bend a shot around the tree to beside the Men’s tenth tee, from where Dave snaked a shot through the trees and onto the green and Rob snared the par with an easy putt. It was all way to easy.
Day two, July 15, promised to provide excitement with five pairings in close contention for the Scratch result. The Handicap result was also tight.
However, the golfing gods had other ideas as the front runners who were all looking for very good scores managed to get blown away. In fact, in both Scratch and Handicap there were only two pairings who produced any type of surge to contest for the honours.
Dan Bayley and Peter Dawson improved three shots on their Day one score to record a Scratch 75. They were six shots ahead of the runners-up on the day. Both pairings of Dukes/Sallaway and S Betland/Collits had terrible days, scoring 83 apiece.
The Handicap scores witnessed a scorching period of play by Thomas/Tucker who bettered their Day one score by three shots, to record a nett 68.5. The handicap runners-up on the day were Bayley/Dawson with 72.
In the rest of the field, some pairings showed good improvement but were too far back to matter, and some that may have done well had worse scores. Duncan/R Nixon had the same score both days, while Churchill/A Borger, O’Connor/Davies, Rhodes/Webb and Judge/Grallelis improved their scores.
Day two ball sweep went to 74 nett, going to: 68.5 – Thomas/Tucker; 72 – Bayley/Dawson; 74 – R Nixon/N Duncan. The NTP’s went to: ninth – W Judge; 18th – J Betland, with only Stevie G finishing his partner’s shot for a two. Again, that was the only two for the day.
The Overall Results were assured by the good play on Day two to give a commanding winning margin, Day one results:
- 36-hole Scratch Winners: D Bayley/ P Dawson 153
- 36-hole Scratch Runners-up: A Dukes/ S Sallaway 159
- 36-hole Handicap Winners: B Thomas/ A Tucker 140
- 36-hole Runners-up: D Bayley/ P Dawson 147
A common thread of comment was that many pairings ‘left shots out there’. That is to say their score would have been better if they had fewer putts or fewer problems. However, to make things interesting many pairings found different ways to navigate their way around the course.
Paul Kay and Geoff Drane managed a six on the seventh hole, without once venturing onto the fairway. They played the whole way among the trees. And Peter Barnes and Bob Borger seemed to be among the trees all day, only appearing occasionally on the fairway.
There were some good recoveries made. Alf Davies played a very handy chip out of the creek on the 9th following Laurie O’Connor’s tee shot. On the 17th Alf was very adept at playing a recovery shot with his driver from among the trees that saw the ball bounce and roll onto the green. And Marty Cahill used his driver for a recovery shot quite often.
The pinnacle of wonderful play goes to Niel Duncan and Richard Nixon. On Sunday their driving was not as good as before, but it was around the greens that they excelled. Between them they chipped in four times – on the third, fourth, tenth and 15th – for pars, and only needed 21 putts on the other 14 holes. Such masterful touch.
On Sunday there was a Stableford Medley played by a very small crowd who wanted a normal game. Dave Clarke won the day with 35 points, ahead of Ian Bown on 30. There was no ball sweep, and no NTP’s as everyone missed the green.
Here is the News: Do not forget to ensure your membership fees are paid, both for the FGA membership and the Vets membership. The Wallace Cup (Match Play on Handicap) commences this week, so check the notice board for the draw. Contact the Club Captain (6851 5293) if you have any questions.
Do not forget the LVDGA Mens Fourball District Final, to be held at Forbes on August 5th. The winners go to Bonneville for some fun time.
The Sand-Grass Greens Championships are coming up on August 18-19. This is a great event that draws players from clubs far and wide. The event is being managed by GolfNSW, so nominate either as an individual or as a team (four players for the price of three!).
The Junior Clinics are still being run on Tuesday afternoon, commencing at 4:30pm. Contact Simon in the Pro Shop (6851 1554) for details.
It is crystal ball time: July 21 we have the 4BBBB Stableford Multiplier, sponsored by the Tuesday Golfers. This can be brain-taxing, but is always enjoyable. July 22 we will have a Stableford Medley for those at home.
-by Short Putt
Ladies Golf
The Foursomes Championships played over 27 holes on Saturday 14th July where the greens were slippery with the early start did not effect the Scratch Winners Kerry Stirling and Heather Davidson(139) who were also Runners Up in the Handicap(112).
Runners Up in the Scratch were Ethel Coombs and Colleen Bratton(144) who were also the Handicap winners on (111 3/4) all four girls won a ball in the sweep. NTP ninth Kathy Collitts.
Congratulations and thank you to Forbes Auto Wreckers for sponsoring this event. On Wednesday 18th a Par event sponsored by Kerry Stirling and Mary Ewing was played in two Divisions. Division One is now 0-25 and Kerry won with +two with Runner up being Ethel Coombs +one.
Division Two Winner was Jill Morgan with the best score of the day +3 and Runner Up Julie Wood +1. NTP 9th Ethel and 18th Jill.
Ball Sweep went to Kerry, Ethel, Jill, Julie and Verna. Footnote: It is pleasing to learn that the golf notes are read so when an omission is made it can be rectified.
July 4 the NTP were forgotten so to Teresa Armitage on 18th and Jenny Fletcher on 9th well done. Next Wednesday 25th is Shot Gun Start at 9.30am, Cake Day and the Event is Split Sixes with Kerry/Ev on cards, please put your name on the sheet in the pro shop this will be sponsored by Judy Hodge and Marie Reid.
Forbes Ladies Pennants Team are into the quarter finals and are playing Parkes at Cowra next Friday 27th. The team is Heather Davidson, Sally Crosby, Jenny Fletcher, Kerry Stirling and Ev Uphill.
-by Roving Reporter