Golfing goodness | Dan Bayley Grabs Medallist Honours

Last weekend the Men's event was an Individual Stroke, sponsored by Loomzy's Fish n Fix. It was also the day to for some players to try to snare a 'Medal of Medallists', tackling each shot to aiming hit the mark and looking to net a good score.

The Medal of Medallists was contested by those 30 players who had won a Monthly Medal through the year. Dan Bayley won the first A grade Medal in December 2018, and despite not doing too much through the year, really hit form to score a 68 scratch, 65 nett and grab the 'MoM'.

Close behind with a nett 67 was Jacob Bernardi, a B grade Medal winner from October 2019. He was pursued by Garry Collits, B grade Medal from June 2019. Perhaps the most consistent golfer through the year was Peter Dawson with three A grade Medals, hotly pursued by D Mylecharane and A Dukes (two A grade Medals each), R Borger (2 B grade Medals) and Steve Grallelis (2 C grade Medals).

The Individual Stroke comp needed a good score to win any prizes. Both Division 1 and Division 2 were won with scores of 65 nett, and both Divisions had close runners-up.

Division 1 went to Dan Bayley with his nett 65. He had a hiccup start with a double-bogey five, then followed that with three birdies and very fine eagle on the seventh. His marker Ethan Gaffney strode alongside him all day, but could not match the scoring machine. Runner-up was Jacob Bernardi with 67 nett. Jacob consistently hit fours and fives, mixing birdies on the longer holes to counter bogeys on the shorter holes.

In Division 2, Graham Newport managed to recall all that his coach, Ben Gear, had taught him, and thus have his best day for a long time with a nett 65. Graham was pleased to par all the par-threes, and keep errors to a minimum on the other holes. Runner-up was Garry Collits with a well-crafted 658 nett. He had a lower handicap than Graham, but fared worse on the par-threes to provide the difference.

There was a plethora of NTP's on all the par-threes. The Comp NTP's were played on the first and ninth holes, with the Tuesday Golfers Group sponsoring NTP's for three grades on each of the third and 18th holes.

The ball sweep went to 72 nett on count back: 65 - G Newport, D Bayley; 67 - J Bernardi; 68 - G Collits; 69 - M Wood, A Alley; 70 - D Ridley, T Morgan, M Spice; 71 - D Mylecharane, D Churchill, M Wood Jnr (Dubbo), A Dukes; 72 - Alf Davies, T Griffiths, T Callaghan, R Besgrove, P Dawson.

The Comp NTP's went to: first - James Conolly (Duntryleague); ninth - J Zannes. The sponsored NTP's went to: third A grade: I Bown, B grade: P Conway, C grade: B Squires; 18th A grade: S Kirkman, B grade: G Newport, C grade: nil.

Visitors included: M Wood Jnr (Dubbo), J Conolly (Duntryleague), P Conway (Carbrook) and S Edwards (Bogan Gate). Some of these had success, and some enjoyed the company on the course.

Forecast strong winds, leading to tee marker adjustments, did not eventuate but some players still found themselves going backwards. This was primarily due to many balls striking trees and rebounding back behind them. One unfortunate player struck trees twice in succession, ending up nearly 80 metres back from whence he came. Luckily Les had a cart to catch up.

Graham Newport was especially pleased with his round. The patient work and advice put in by Head Pro Ben eventually morphed into clarity of thought for Graham, which he duly put into practice. We should see his handicap start to drop now.

It is great team of Pros we have here, providing outstanding coaching. But what they cannot control is how long the drills and ideas 'gel' in the mind of the player. Some, like Todd Callaghan, can almost instantly put their new skills into practice. For others it may take a while, which is something Brian Doyle will need to be patient with.

Patience is also useful during the round. Peter Barnes' patience was sorely tested during his first nine-holes. A ten on the second, without going OB did not sit well at first, nor did the large figure on the seventh. However, he was rewarded with a 12 shot turn-around on the back-nine, coming home with a neat 40 strokes.

On Sunday the Annual VW Scramble was played, but no Stableford Medley. This is a four-person Ambrose event, with rules that spread the responsibility for good scoring across the whole team.

In the past this has been a popular event, with the opportunity for the winning team to progress to a Regional Final. However, this year the numbers were well down but the players still wanted to win the local event and achieve personal glory with good scores.

The winning team, comprising D Bayley/T Callagahan/B Hodges/B Robinson, managed a scratch score 59, with nett score 53 1/4. Starting on the third, they birdied their first seven holes, before an untimely par on the tenth stopped that run. However, they finished strongly to record 13 birdies overall.

The runners-up scored well also but even with a hefty handicap would not have caught the winners. The team of P Dawson/J Betland/D Sly/J Fletcher managed ten birdies for their 672 scratch, 57 5/8 nett. Luckily no bogeys.

Third place went to the team of N Walker/ D Faro-Mann/ A Mann/ A Bullock, who were visitors to the course but still managed a fine score of 64, nett 59 1/2. Unfortunately the defending champions (Bown/Kay/Crosby/Grallelis) were without luck, having putts lip out and a couple of untimely bogeys.

Head Pro, Ben Gear, conducted the Presentation in the 'Golfie', distributing Travel golf bags, Caps/towels and caps to the prize winners. Each player received a starter pack of balls and Vouchers for Club fitting and car purchase. Well done to all those that participated.

The event is on the Golf Programme for next year, so hopefully a change in eligibility rules will encourage more nominations and enable a winning team to progress to the Regional Finals.

Here is the News:

Unfortunately we bid farewell to Adrian Lees, our Golf Pro who has managed Parkes very well but been instrumental in the Junior coaching classes. Adrian has enjoyed his time in Forbes, after leaving the cold winters of Canberra, and heads to Coffs Harbour to enjoy balmy conditions. He had second thoughts when the News showed the smoke cover over that region, but he is looking forward to a new challenge.

We wish him well, and he encourages any Forbes players to drop in and see him at Bonville CC, where he will be working after the summer season. Travel safe Adrian, and 'drive straight'.

Last Saturday the Annual Presentation of Trophies and Awards was held in the 'Golfie'. A small but dedicated crowd, with the Ladies once again resplendent, enjoyed the proceedings, Run by the Captains. Numbers were down due to competing celebrations elsewhere, but maybe next year there will be more people on hand to congratulate the winners.

Some good news is the announcement of the engagement of John Betland and Nicole Death. Whether this means we shall see less of them at the 'Golfie' is yet to be determined.

On a sad note I record the passing of Allan Wood. He was of late a member of Cabramatta GC, and travelled regularly to Forbes to participate in the Nissan Classic, and to catch up with his many friends. Now he will always sink those sneaky 4-footers on the greens on 'that course up above'.

Crystal Ball Time:

Saturday, November 23 is a 4BBB Medley, playing in the Deacon Dwyer Day, and sponsored by Rod Besgrove. Sunday was meant to have a Charity Day but there are no arrangements for this, so a Stableford Medley will be run instead.

Saturday, November 30 is an 18 hole Stroke, sponsored by Knights Fabrications, with a Stableford Medley on Sunday 1 December.

Short Putt

The Nissan Classic was a great success and a very big thank you to the organisers and to Short Putt for all his scribing.

I did play the VWScramble last Sunday which only had 24 players which meant once again the winning team who had 13 under could not progress to the next round.

The prizes were great and course still in excellent shape. On Saturday, November 16 the beautiful Charlotte Cripps sponsored Christmas Cake was won byHeather Davidson with a great 41 Stableford points with the Runner upRobin Lyell just missing out with 40 points.

NTP on first was Judy Hodge and ninth Ev Uphill. Sweep went to Robin and Verna with 38. On Wednesday, November 20 a Stableford was played in Division 1 and this was sponsored by Marg Bentick.

Ethel Coombs was the winner with 37 points and runner up Heather Davidson 34. NTP ninth Robin Lyell and 18th Julie Hurkett.

Sweep went to Heather and Robin with 32 on a count-back. Well done to all the winners over the past week. Next Wednesday, November 27 is the second last of our sponsored golfing days for 2019.

It is sponsored by Flint StreetButchery so the winner will win something towards a tasty ham. It is also Cake Day and a Shot Gun Start 7.30 gather and eight o'clock hit off.

Teresa is on cards. Saturday is the lucky last sponsored golfing day which is Sponsored by Ladybird Boutique it is a Stableford and Heather is on cards.

We would like to thank the Gunn family for their wonderful sponsorship over the years, your shop is missed by us all.

Roving Reporter