Forbes has a new golf champion in Shane Sallaway.
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"It's about time someone else got their name on the cup besides a Betland," a proud Shane said on Sunday evening while celebrating after the final round of the 72-hole championship.
Shane took a one shot lead over Steven Betland into Sunday's final round and that played into a form of 'match play' as the two traded shots early before the drama crept into their play over the final half dozen holes, more so the par five 15th where both recorded bogies with Shane holding a two shot advantage.
With power play from the tee during the championships both regularly hit drives close to the 300 metre mark as was the case on the easy par five 15th hole, except they found the left hand side of the fairway, and trouble.
Steven was over the water hazard but far left of the green while Shane was in the water from a difficult lie to then find the green and two putt for six.
Steven was short with his third which had to be played over trees to then chip and two putts for his six.
The dramas continued over the next two holes. First with Shane recording another bogey on the 16th bridging the gap to one shot before Steve returned serve on the 17th after his second shot rolled over the back of the sloping green to again see a two two shots gap. Both parred the 18th hole for Shane to sign for a two over par 74 while Steven was three over 75.
Windy conditions on Saturday separated the two from the rest of the field with Shane posting the best round of the championships, four under par 68 while Steven signed for two under 70.
Shane said he only felt pressure late in the final round. "I was OK early but a bit of pressure started to come once the people started coming to watch those final few holes."
"This is the biggest win I've had since coming to Forbes. It comes after I won the Lachlan Valley championship at West Wyalong early in the year," he added.
Shane arrived in Forbes eight years ago from Mackay with partner Sam Rath, the daughter of well known Forbes couple Greg and Lindy. They are the proud parents of eight-year-old Eli and three-year-old Jobe.
Their meeting came at Hamilton Island where Shane worked in his current trade as a painter while Sam worked at the island's zoo.
Winning scores in all grades. A grade, Shane Sallaway 291 (75, 74, 68, 74), r/u Steven Betland 293 (73, 75, 70, 75). A Reserve, Kim Herbert 320 (80, 78, 81, 81), r/u John Zannes 333 (80, 83, 86, 84). B grade, Ken Sanderson 342 (83, 87, 86, 86), r/u Brian Everest 349 (86, 89, 92, 82). C grade, Rodney Joseph Besgrove 402 (107, 99, 97, 99), r/u Steve Grallelis 404 (106, 105, 101, 92).
Ladies champions. Division 1, Julie Hurkett 363 (91, 85, 91, 96), r/u Heather Davidson 367 (90, 90, 98, 89). Division 2, Robyn Lyell 403 (103, 102, 99, 99), r/u Barb Drabsch 416 (107, 102, 105, 102).
More championship results in Friday's Advocate.