Forbes golfing goodness | Aces High for Grayson

If scored during a round the joy and elation can carry that golfer for many holes, and if scored at the end of a round it can lead to a long night in the 'Golfie'.

For Peter it was the former. His ace came on the ninth hole. He and golf partner Bruce Carpenter watched intently as Pete's ball carried high into the air, and dropped very near the pin.

'Over the back', said Bruce. When Peter arrived at the back of the green there was no ball to be seen, so he checked the hole. Eureka! What a beauty.

Unfortunately there were no crowds to cheer, but a group on the tenth tee were quick to congratulate him. Pete was so buoyed that he played above his handicap for the back-nine.

The comp on Saturday was an Individual Stableford 18-hole Stroke event, sponsored by Forbes Bus Lines and replacing the previously scheduled two person two Club Aust Championship.

The field of 70 enjoyed warm conditions, green fairways and responsive greens. Consequently scores were very good across the Divisions.

The Division 1 winner was Todd Callaghan, who scored 45 points from a scratch score of 69. While the limelight may have been on 'Grayso', Todd was quietly amassing his points score in the last group of the day. His 34-35 split included only three bogeys all day offset by six birdies, two of which were on the back-to-back 6th and seventh holes.

Runner-up in Division 1 was Rob Webb with 44 points. Rob played in the first group of the day and thought he must have been well on the money. He was three-over the card on the front-nine with a one pointer on the ninth. But he came to light on the back-nine with 24 points, and seven pars, one birdie and one bogey.

The Division 2 were not outdone in the scoring stakes. The winner was Matt Duff, whose rise in form, or rather his fall in handicap, has been noticeable in recent weeks. His 42 points included a wipe on the seventh hole where he only just kept it under double-figures. But he was pleased to have parred two of the par-fives, and also record a four-pointer.

Runner-up on 41 points was Matt Roylance, who also has been enjoying his golf over recent weeks, (and I hear his wife enjoys him being out of the house). 'Roylo' was more consistent, scoring twos and threes but no wipes or four-pointers, and being fairly even across both nine's.

The ball sweep went to 38 points: 45 - T Callaghan; 44 - R Webb; 42 - D McAuliffe, M Duff; 41 - M Roylance; 40 - T Griffiths, J Zannes, A Grierson, B Slack-Smith, C Barrett; 39 - M Watts, A Currey, B Thomas, I Bown; 38 - D Rhodes, M Cahill, A Brownlow, T Cogswell, J Cutler.

The NTP's went to: ninth - P Grayson; 18th - I Bown. The twos were prolific this week, but all were recorded by Division 1 players. Pete did not score a two of course, but Ian also missed his. Brian Everest managed two, on the first and third, as did Brett Thomas on the third and 9th. Phil Duke got the lone two on the 18th.

The visitors included Andrew Brownlow (Peak Hill) here once again for a good hit, Stuart Hayes (Murrumbidgee) who is quite a regular, Peter Conway (Carbrook) who did okay, and Pete Rowe (Condo) enjoying some greenery.

The bounty on good scores is reflected in the ball sweep list. On that list are a number of players whose names have not been listed much of late, so it is good to see good fortune for them.

More on 'that' hole in one. Pete felt as if he had not struck the shot all that well, and was a bit surprised when 'Carpo' suggested it went over the back. But he did not let it go to his head, maintaining good form to score nine points on the next four holes.

This was Pete's first H-in-O on home soil, but not his first ever. His only other success was at Port Victoria in South Australia. Whilst touring to West Australia he stopped for a break and had a hit.

It was a special event day, where his perfect shot earned him an Onga pump, which he carted along on his trip and which now sits in his shed gathering dust.

Another near perfect shot was played by Max Haley. On the 14th his second shot finished in the deeper grass underneath the tree.

He bladed his chip shot, causing the ball to rocket towards the green, where it struck the pin and dropped straight down into the hole for a birdie. Paul Kay was on the opposite side of the green, already taking evasive action to avoid the projectile.

Todd returned the best score of the day, which could have had icing on the cake if he had snared the NTP on the 18th. However, his tee shot finish only inches short of the marker.

Another in good form was Andrew Grierson, enjoying some free time until school starts and he resumes his House Master duties, losing his Saturdays.

He was two-over after the front-nine, and remained so until the very end when he finished double-bogey, bogey, scoring 5-over for the round. With more luck it would have meant a count back for Division 1 runner-up.

Balls seemed to be haphazardly lying around the course, the result of misdirected shots. A wayward drive off the 13th finished on the fifth, where a seagull player picked up the ball innocently believing it was lost. Elsewhere, players in the same group appeared to be on a mission to 'travel expansively'.

The Haley brothers were putting mileage on their cart, chasing their digressive shots. But Ralph Baker takes the prize for the most travelled player within his round. He went everywhere.

Brett Thomas was another who was a bit wayward. His approach to the 17th overshot the green. The ball landed behind the green, ran between the players gather beside the 18th tee, and popped up onto the tee, just as a player was swinging through his shot. It was a difficult return shot, but Brett still made a five.

Among all that good fortune there we stories of woe. One such catastrophe befell a player on the 16th. His par putt skimmed the hole and finished less than foot past it.

He missed the return putt, and the next, finally finishing with a tap in six inch putt for a seven. There was much muttering under the breath as he walked to the 17th tee.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was a small affair with only a handful of players. The winner was Craig Simmons with 36 points. There was no runner-up, ball sweep or NTP's, reflecting the desire for people to enjoy the Australia Day festivities.

The Monday Stableford Medley was cancelled due to the unavailability of the Handicapping software, which meant cards could not be produced and results verified. But there were many who enjoyed a social hit.

Here is the news

The 2020 CWDGA Pennants commence on February 2 at Duntryleague. WE have a team in each of the Divisions, and wish them well in their endeavours. WE host the Pennants here on Sunday, February 9, so the course will be closed for the morning. But players are welcome to come and watch some top golfers, and then have a hit after lunch.

The Summer Super 6's comp is again getting people onto the course and enjoying the fresh air. And there are some good scores being returned, maybe because players can see a closer finish line in nine-holes.

Not to be outdone by the main competition, some 'Sixes' players are keen to keep the standard of play high. We can record a 'Hole-in-One' by Hamish Steele-Park during his 6's round. And once again it was a most non-pristine golf shot.

His tee shot fell short of the green, but upon landing it struck something hard (perhaps a rock). It bounced high into the air, landed on the green and rolled gently into the hole. When Hamish extracted his ball from the hole he proclaimed to his group, 'It only takes one shot fellas'. It would certainly help his score if he had many more.

It is crystal ball time

Sat 1 Feb is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by the 'Roadies Group' of club members. Sunday, February 2 is a Stableford Medley, and also the first round of the CWDGA Pennants.

Saturday, February 8 is an 18-Hoile Stableford, sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical. On Sunday, February 9 we host the CWDGA Pennants, but the course will be open in the afternoon for the Stableford Medley. Keep up to date on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/forbesgolfcourse/.

Short Putt