The Forbes golfers were well pleased with the weather conditions across the weekend, enabling some of them to post good scores in the Club Championships. However, they were less than pleased with the proliferation of the flies, requiring the quick application of suitable repellent.
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The first two rounds of the Club Championships, for both Men and Ladies, were held on the weekend. The Mens Championships is sponsored by Lachlan Commodities, with Daily Comp prizes sponsored by Pool Magic.
This ensured that whenever a player took sufficient divots to plant a crop, they then were able to cool off in an appropriate fashion.
After two rounds of the Championships there are some obvious early leaders, and some surprise contenders.
As is usual in this event, a good round can easily be followed by a not-so-good round. Sometimes this makes a player concentrate more, but conversely it may make them strive too hard in the final rounds.
At the mid-stage of the Champs, the leading players are:
- A grade Scratch - John Betland (146) leads by 2 shots from Steve Betland and Dan Bayley.
- A grade Handicap - Dan Bayley (142) leads Shane Sallaway (145).
- A Reserve Scratch - Kim Herbert (158) narrowly leads from Cam McMillan (159).
- B grade Scratch - Ken Sanderson (170) is ahead of Brian Everest (175).
- B grade Handicap - Ken Sanderson (144) leads Brian Everest (147).
- C grade Scratch - Adam Currey (197) leads Bruce Squires and Frank Donohoe (201).
- C grade Handicap - Adam Currey (149) has a handy lead over Bruce Squires (155).
The Vets and Junior Championships are wide open at this stage.
Participating numbers are comparable to previous years, with more playing this year on day one than last year, but less on day two. Not bad really when considering the other activities around the community, and of course the Bathurst races.
Dan Bayley has been in good form. He was the A grade Handicap leader on day one and has kept in front. In A Reserve, John Zannes started well on the first day, but slipped back to the pack, despite a par round.
In B grade, Ken Sanderson has shown admirable consistent form to contend in both the Scratch and Handicap formats.
Unfortunately Laurie O'Connor had a couple of bad holes on the second day to drop him back into the field. The C grade usually has wildly fluctuating fortunes, and such is the case. Adam Currey has bolted from nowhere to lead, but anything can happen.
There is a Daily competition on each day, played over two Divisions. This ensures that for those players who are unable to compete for all four rounds, they can still earn plaudits for a good day's golf.
Day one saw the A Division go to Laurie O'Connor with a 67 nett. He had one blemish on the 15th but otherwise played below his handicap. Runner-up was John Zannes (68 nett) who was out early and enjoyed the cooler conditions. But for a few 'little putts' he would have done better.
In the B Division Max Haley played consistently for his 72 nett, finishing ahead of Don Ridley on 73 nett. Don has been showing good form over recent weeks, and may be headed for bigger things, or at least a lower handicap.
The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count-back: 67 - L O'Connor; 68 - J Zannes; 70 - K Sanderson, K Herbert, N McMillan, D Bayley; 71 E Gaffney, I Bown; 72 - C McMillan, M Haley, J Betland, B Everest; 73 - S Sallaway, T Griffiths, P Kay, D Ridley; 74 - R Taylor, S Betland, S Thomas, R Borger, P Dawson.
The NTP's went to: ninth - A Tucker; 18th - K Sanderson. There were eight twos scored but none by the two sharp shooters. There were no visitors, although a visiting lady did somehow manage to get into the Mens comp.
The story changed on day two for many players. In the A Division Kim Herbert carried his form from day 1 to score a nett 69 and take the honours from Runner-up Anthony Alley (69). Anthony had a remarkable turnaround from his day 1 score.
In the B Division Adam Currey surged forward with a nett 71. Most other players faltered, but Malcolm Langfield had lost rust from his swing and improved to 74 nett.
The ball sweep went to 75 nett on count-back: 67 - L O'Connor; 69 - K Herbert, A Alley; 70 - CN McMillan; 71 A Currey; 72 - I Bown, J Zannes, S Sallaway, D Bayley,J Haley; 73 - S Kirkman; 74 - K Sanderson, N McMillan, P Duke, M Langfield; 75 - T Cogswell.
The NTP's went to: ninth - C Alley; 18th - D Bayley. The twos were very scarce with only three scored all day, and again none by the two sharp shooters.
Good things and bad things happened amongst the field, but undoubtedly keeping concentration was very important. Both Bob Borger and Pete Barnes needed to concentrate when searching for a ball among the trees on the right of the 11th.
And Lachlan Alley needed concentration and resolve to complete the ninth hole on day one. Quite a few balls in the water earned him double digits and a big dent in his score. But he did much better on that hole in day two.
The "Leyland Brothers Explorers Achievement" goes to Dan Bayley. He scored a birdie on the 14th, by traversing first into Ecky's Dam, then onto a muddy patch in the creek.
From there he blasted onto the green and sunk a momentous putt. He retained his recovery prowess on day two with a good recovery from the dam behind the 13th, but this time with a not-so-good score.
Craig Barrett was very pleased to score better on the second day. Birdies on the first and seventh holes offset some wayward shots on the front-nine, but he was very tidy on the back-nine to ensure he 'won the money' for his team.
Perhaps the Bradman award goes to Ben Robinson for his individual effort on the seventh hole on day one. He started with three OB's off the tee, played a few shots down the fairway, then went OB again, but twice.
After some unfortunate chips he arrived on the green. Here he really out-performed himself to one-putt for an all-time '17'. This really shows determination.
It is important that golfers note that the Final day's play in the champs will be a seeded draw for those in the top positions. Other players are welcome to play, with the opportunity to race home with a blinder score and win on the post.
Also players are reminded that the playing in pairs is not allowed, unless by special agreement. Please ensure you organise a group of three or four to ensure all cards are marked correctly. Obviously there was no Sunday Stableford Medley.
Here is the News
The Club Championships continues this weekend. If you have the time you are welcome to watch the closing stages of play and support your favourite player.
The Summer Sixes comp rounds start on Monday, October 21. If you do not have a handicap (either Club or last year's comp) you have this weekend to get a handicap round in so Ben can calculate one for you.
Team nominations should be in, but forms are available from the Pro Shop if you want a late entry.
The Junior Coaching will be continuing, but with minor changes. Please contact Adrian for more details - 0423 356 670.
The VW Scramble previously scheduled for Sunday, September 29 has been postponed to Sunday, November 17 . Contact Head Pro Ben for more information on this event. The prizes are all supplied, with each player getting a playing pack.
Organising for the Forbes Nissan Classic, sponsored by Frank Spice Motors, being held on the weekend of November 9-10, is progressing well. Get your nomination on the time sheet in the Pro Shop asap.
A reminder that the AGM for the FGA will be held on Wednesday, October 30, with a 6pm for 6:30pm start.
And for those eligible, do not forget the Vets AGM, to be held on Thursday, October 24, before the games commence. This will also be the last tee off time in the afternoon. In November the Forbes games revert to the morning starts.
Crystal Ball Time
The closing rounds of the Club Championships for both Men and Ladies will be held on October 19-20. On Saturday, October 26 there is a Par event, sponsored by Peter Dawson.
Then on Sunday, October 27 there is a Rotary Charity Day. More information to be provided soon.
Short Putt
Ladies' Golf
The Club Championships are under way with the final two rounds being played this weekend, it is being played in two divisions 0-21 and 22 to45.
At the half way mark Julie Hurkett is leading Division One with 176and Heather Davidson on 180 with the same girls leading the Handicap on148 and 152 respectively.
Denise Squires is coming in with a close third on 153.
In Division Two Verna Lane leads in the Scratch with with195 from Robin Lyell on 205 with Barb Drabsch on 209.
In the HandicapVerna has 151 and Robin 152 with Debbie Tilley on 155.
On Sunday, October 13 the Stableford was won by Julie Hurkett with 37 points andDivision two Debbie Tilley with 36 on a count-back.
NTP ninth Julie Hurkettand 18th Robin Lyell. Sweep to Robin, Verna and Heather. Thank you toour Sponsors Fugen Constructions and Storage Solutions(Kerry and JoeStirling).
On Wednesday a good field of Ladies turned out to play the Pinehurst competition in pairs and this was won by the inform players of Heather Davidson and Robin Lyell with 71 5/8 with Colleen Venables and Marie Reid coming in as Runners up with 73 3/8.
Ball Sweep to Colleen, Marie, Doreen Barnes and Alison Kingston.
NTP ninth Doreen Barnes and 18th Enid Baker.
Good news from the NSW Medal District Finals held at Cowra last Friday with Sarah Black winning Bronze (Division 3) with a score of78.
This takes Sarah to Penrith in December for the Grand Final. Well done to all the winners over the past week and good luck for the final rounds of the Championships this weekend.
Coming up next Wednesday, October 23 is a Stableford sponsored by Forbes Boat and Car Wash in two Divisions with Fleur Wells on cards.
Roving Reporter