In the A grade Scratch, John Betland capitalised on recent good form shown at the NSW Country Champs, score a scratch 71 and lead by five shots from Shane Sallaway. John’s best hole was an eagle on the 15th, while Shane parred the back-nine to recover from the front-9.

The A reserve Grade Scratch has Cam McMillan in front on 76, being dogged by a wily Richard Nixon on 79. Cam was well tutored by Bruce Carpenter to record 38-38.

The B grade Scratch lives up to its ‘dog-fight’ tradition, in which ‘Terry Tornado Griffiths on 82 leads Rob Webb on 83. Both had similar rounds, with the difference being a triple-bogey on the eighth by Rob.

The C grade Scratch is also very competitive. Ash Tucker (92), despite describing his round as an abomination, leads Bruce Squires and Anthony Alley (both on 94), and Stephen McAlister, Brett Slack-Smith and Geoff Coles on 95.

In conjunction with the Championships, there is a Daily comp played, sponsored by Pool Magic. Because of the difference in the handicap ranges this throws up some interesting results.

The A Division was won by Cam McMillan (67 nett) from Terry Griffiths (78 nett on c/b). Cam was steady all day, and so was Terry but for a blunder on the eighth. Doug Churchill was unfortunate, in that he played steady all day and finished the same as terry but lost on count-back.

The B Division was won by Clayton Alley (69 nett) from Garry Collits (72 nett on count back). Clayton was very tidy, never varying from between 4 and six per hole all day. Garry did the same but his run of five’s on the back-nine needed to be fours.

The ball sweep went to 73 on count back, going to: 67 – C McMillan; 68 – T Griffiths, D Churchill; 69 – C Alley, L O’Connor; 70 – R Webb, R Nixon; 71 – M Spice, P Cowhan; 72 – G Collits, J Betland, A Tucker; S Sallaway, D Bayley, S McAlister, K Sanderson and B Squires.

There were very few twos scored, when the greens were holding their lines so well. Maybe some more spinach was needed. The NTP’s went to: ninth – D Churchill; 18th – C McMillan. Doug got his two, while Cam scored one on the third. Overall there were only five twos scored.

There were no visitors in the comp, but it was good to see some missing faces return. Malcolm Langfield enjoyed his day, if not his score, after a long absence.

In such good scoring conditions, despite a little rain at midday Saturday, there were some interesting opportunities. But these scoring opportunities were not always good things.

Geoff Coles used his deft chipping skills to chip in on the ninth, and thus keep his score below double figures after finding the creek too many times.

Another set of golfing skills were demonstrated by Pete Cowhan, with his four-putt on the eighth for a seven. Also calamitous was Stevie G, who contended with trees, a raging magpie, the creek and long grass near the tenth tee to record a ‘12’ on the 15th. He was supported by Ron Morris who had a similar score on that hole.

Paul Kay had a day of disaster. Every shot was made from a poor lie, and when he hit a good shot he was not rewarded. He did have the NTP on the ninth, except that he wrote his card on the Ladies sheet. Some days, like Bob Borger’s shots, it pays to not get up.

The second round played on Sunday, produced better scores overall from the 57 starters. And this was played in better conditions that almost brought the flies out. Alas the magpie on the tenth was still there.

In the A grade scratch, John Betland maintained his position with a 74, but the gap was closed by Shane Sallaway (75) and Peter Dawson (72). Mark Collits is also in the mix and Michael Wood is not far away.

The A reserve scratch still has Cam McMillan (78) in front. Digit McAuliffe did well with a 77, but Richard Nixon’s 80 keeps him in second spot.

The B grade scratch has seen a tremendous turn around. Stephen Uphill played a blinder to score 78 (and the best nett of the day, a 65) to jump into the lead by two shots from Robb Webb. The Day 1 leader (Tornado) was turned away from land and managed a 92.

The C grade scratch is still led by Ash Tucker after an 89, but only one behind is Anthony Alley who jumped up the ladder with an 88. But beware, because Bruce Squires is also lurking nearby.

In the Daily Comp, the A Division was won by S Uphill with 65 Nett from P Dawson on 68 nett, by count-back. In the B Division A Alley won on count back from Peter Tsidell, both with 68 nett.

The Sunday NTP’s went to: ninth – L O’Connor; 18th – D McAuliffe. And once again twos were scarce with only six beings cored and none by the A graders. There were two visitors from Parkes.

The scratch leaders after two rounds are:

A grade scratch – J Betland (145) from S Sallaway and E Dawson (151)

A reserve scratch – C McMillan (154) from R Nixon (159)

B grade scratch – S Uphill (166) from R Webb (168)

C grade –A Tucker (181) from A Alley 182.

The grade Handicap leaders are: A grade C McMillan (136); B grade S Uphill (140) and A Tucker (141). Overall, the scores at this stage are higher than they were at the same stage last year.

The skills on display were aplenty. Ecky Dawson did well with his 35 on the front-nine, while King John scored 36 on the back-nine. Stephen Uphill used his height to get a good line on some 30 and 40-foot putts, nailing bombs from the front of the green on the third and the tenth.

It is crystal ball time: Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21 are the third and fourth rounds of the Club Champs. The top contenders in all grades will tee off in a seeded draw on Sunday. Contact the Club captain if you think you will be a contender but need to play early

-by Short Putt

Now that the dust has finally settled and just maybe a change for the better for us all. More time to spend enjoying our great golf course despite the magpies being very unfriendly to some players.

Last Friday  Forbes Lady golfers hosted and participated in Golf NSW District Final where Dubbo took the honors, Division One Heather Davidson and Janet Smith represented Forbes with Ethel Coombs in Division two.

Fugen Construction and Storage Solutions sponsored the First and Second Rounds of the Club Championships which  started on the weekend  with the Scratch leader in Division One being Julie Hurkett 174, Heather Davidson 180, Kerry Stirling 184.

Net scores Julie Hurkett 143, Heather Davidson 148, Verna Lane 149. Division Two leader in scratch Colleen Venables 193, Robin Lyell 198, Ev Uphill 202.

Net scores Colleen Venables 145, Gabby Alley 149, Robin Lyell and Debbie Tilley 152. Saturdays Stableford round in Division One was won by Julie Hurkett( 39) and runner up Verna Lane (34).

Division Two winner Colleen Venables (35) and runner up Barb Drabsch (33).

NTP ninth Colleen Bratton, 18th Heather Davidson. Monthly Medal Winners Division One Julie Hurkett (69), Two Colleen Venables (73), Three Debbie Dingwall(77). Putting Champ Kerry Stirling with 27.

On Sunday the Stableford Division One winner was Heather Davidson (36), runner Up on a C/B Kerry Stirling (34). Division Two Winner Gabby Alley with 41 points and Runner Up Colleen Venables (36).

NTP ninth Denise Squires and 18th Ethel Coombs. The final two rounds will be played this weekend so good luck.

On Wednesday, October 17 a Pinehurst Competition was played and the Winners were Marie Reid and Colleen Venables with 71 points and runners up Ethel Coombs and Barb Drabsch 75.

NTP ninth Meg Schoefield and 18th Julie Wood. Ball Sweep to Colleen, Marie, Ethel and Barb. Congratulations to all the winners.

Wednesday, October 24 is a Stableford in 2 Divisions sponsored by Forbes Boat and Car Wash with Sarah Black on cards.

-by Roving Reporter