Summer was well and truly with us on the weekend with high temperatures and mild wind.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This ensured that play on the golf course was measured in pace, mindful of shade refuge, and always lubricated. All this contributed to hot scores.
The Mens competition on Saturday was an Individual Stroke, sponsored by Knight’s Fabrications.
The 61 players were determined to skilfully contest the day, craning ahead to find the best shade and leaving the fabrication to the stories in the clubhouse and not on the score card.
In the A Division, Brodie Hodges capitalised on both his good form and his comfortable handicap to post a 67 nett.
It was nervous times in the Golfie as Stuart French, who had the same intent and goals and returned the same score, was waiting.
But unfortunately for Stuart he lost out on count back. Stuart matched Brodie’s front-nine but was two shots shie on the back-nine, whereas Brodie was fully alight, being only three-over.
The B Division players were not to be out done, and also posted good scores as well as close results.
Richard Smith managed to play consistently, with a hiccup on the back-nine, and ultimately finish with nett 68.
It was a close decision for runner-up, but Bob Borger got there on count back from Ethan Gaffney. They were both tidy on the front-nine but it was the back-nine which hurt Ethan.
But for the 15th he would have been home and hosed.
The ball sweep went to 72 nett on count back, going to: 67 – B Hodges, S French; 68 – B Parker, R Smith; 69 – B Shine, R Borger, E Gaffney; 70 – S Sallaway, R Taylor, D Culley; 71 - D Churchill, F Hanns, R Nixon, M Collits, A Rees; 72 – C Alley, F Donohoe.
The NTP’s went to: ninth – P Dawson; 18th – C Alley. Peter bagged his two, along with one on the 18th, but Clayton was not so fortunate.
The ninth yielded the most of the eight twos. And Ecky was joined in the ‘two two’s’ club by Todd Callaghan who got his on the third and ninth.
No twos were scored by B Division players. There were no visitors. A comforting word has gone to Michael Prior, who was nobbled by the vagaries of the handicap system.
In only his third full 18-holes for handicapping purposes, Mike scored a ‘Warnie’ and finished with a nett 63, the best of the day. But alas, he is ineligible to take any prizes.
If he does the same this weekend then it will be cheers all around. But congrats to Mike in any case.
There were no horrendous scores on any holes, putting aside Maurie’s favourite swimming hole, with a scattering of nine’s across the cards. Peter Barnes managed one of those on the fourth, obviously find trouble among the trees and being a ‘leftie’.
But what was impressive was the control exercised by many golfers, across both Divisions, on the back-nine. For example, King John scored boringly with fours all the way to the 16th, making it easy for his marker, the he averaged four for the final two holes.
Shane did one better with fours and threes. It must have been pleasurable to watch.
And the seven was unusually benign with very few hiccups there. But the scatter-gun award this week goes to Alby, by a slim margin over Al Rees. Despite being ‘of advanced years’ Alby can still win awards.
In Sunday’s Stableford Medley, it was a case of players ducking for cover as very few took to the course.
But once again Peter Grayson enjoyed the company of the Ladies and managed to win the honours with 35 points, on count back from Bess Shields. There was no ball sweep, nor any NTP’s. And thus of course not a two in sight.
Here is the News
With the new Rules of Golf coming into existence on January 1, 2019, the Club is organising some Information Nights, which members and others interested are encouraged to attend.
The first of these was held on Wednesday, with more being organised for early January.
These nights are aimed at introducing players to some of the main rules, allowing for discussion on interpretation of what they may mean, and advising you of where more information can be obtained from.
But also remember, that your golf pro is a valuable resource, so have a chat to Ben. Also have a chat to Ben to get some items for Christmas gifts. He has had a major delivery of supplies and is keen to find out what people want from their Pro Shop.
With guests arriving for the festive season there is ample opportunity to take them for a go on the course. It may pay to contact the Pro Shop to see when the shop, and the course, will be open.
It is crystal ball time
Saturday, December 15 is the 18-Hole Stableford Ham Day. And Sunday, December 16 is a Stableford Medley.
Then from Saturday, December 22 through to Wednesday, December 26 we have a run of Stableford Medley’s. These provide the opportunity for fun time with the family or a refreshing break from festive obligations. Either way it gets you in the fresh air.
Short Putt
Super 6’s are Hot on and off the Course
A common thread in seventh round of the Forbes Golf Club Summer Sixers was ‘hot’. Not only were conditions hot but also players turned in some really hot scores. The Members players produced low scores, but it was the Non-members that really scorched the course.
Once again there was a tussle for the best team score. Platypi Players, playing in Pool 1, turned in one of their best efforts for a 99.5, but it was The Shooter McGavins, from Pool 2.
In Pool 3 it was ‘Every Holes a Goal’ who had 100.5 for the best there. In each case their opponents were well beaten.
The best Members players overall were, Elizabeth Ridley (33), Jeff Haley (33) and Terry Bokeyar (33.5), all of which are pretty handy scores. The best Non-members scores were Mitch Doyle (27.5), Paul McCormack (30) and Mitch Bayley (31.5), for the second week running.
All these players were in winning teams, which shows the contribution they made. However, to be precise it must be noted that Boys and Girls (Jeff Haley) actually had a draw with The KDRR on 106.5.
The ball winners were:
- Pool 1 –M Bayley, E Ridley, T Morgan, T Bokeyar, A Hogan, J Coulthurst, T Norris, W Wright.
- Pool 2 – M Doyle, P McCormack, G Everson, L McMahon, A Rousell, A McDonald, A Reade, A Baker.
- Pool 3 – B Robinson, D Hurkett, J Haley, T Ashcroft, B Williams, S Toole, D Bray, T Toole.
Mitch Bayley is certainly on form, and probably providing some good banter within the family. And Terry Bokeyar was a deserved low scorer, after so many painful days carrying his team mates.
The previously unbeaten leaders in Pool 1 (Hit n Miss) suffered a dastardly blow but still lead the Pool. Forbes Toyota are still in command in Pool 2 by a long margin, and Pool 3 saw ‘Just for Fun’ extend its lead over ‘Wanna Wac Em’ to two points now. Duffers are running their own comp but are still enjoying being out there, often somewhere.
This current week is the last before the Xmas break, so make it a memorable one. Do not forget that you can play games for weeks nine and ten ahead, so that way you can meet your family commitments and still support your team.
There is plenty of time over the break to get extra games in as Round 9 officially starts on Jan 14.
Also, make sure you let your team mates know if you will be there or not. A few players were left like blushing bridesmaids waiting for their team mates who never showed. As always, have a good laugh.
Smooth Swinger