Some golfers found the rain exhilarating, while others found it challenging, but all enjoyed the sweet sound of it falling.

The Men's competition on Saturday was an Individual 18-hole Stableford event, sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical.

The field of 68 were careful to avoid electrifying moments, which some achieved by playing early and the later golfers achieved by plugging into a steady supply of encouraging strokes.

The Division 1 winner was Simon Flynn (Mudgee) who managed a creditable 38 points.

He was accompanied by some of our 'young guns' who inspired him and helped him to get there ahead of Anthony Alley on count back.

Simon had a steady front-nine, which included a wipe counter-balanced by two three-pointers.

Anthony had a wayward front-nine, but stormed home with five pars to score 22 points on the back-nine.

The Division 2 players once again earned the rights as the best scorers, with the winner scoring 40 points.

Matt Duff is enjoying his golf of late, but is also anxiously awaiting a cut in his handicap.

His round had everything from misses to four-pointers, so he had a real roller-coaster of a morning.

Runner-up was Jack Dobell with a fine 37 points, getting there on count back from John Ridley. Jack's card was similar to Matt's, but lacked four-pointers while recording more three-pointers.

The ball sweep went to 30 points on count back: 37 - J Ridley; 36 - P Dawson, J Coulthurst; 35 - D Kennedy, D Bernardi, H Steel-Park; 34 - K Herbert, M Spice, N Ryan; 33 - M Roylance, D Earl, C Hurford; 32 - F Donohoe, S Sallaway, B Hodges; 31 - P Tisdell, S Grallelis; 30 - L Alley.

The NTP's went to: ninth - E Gaffney; 18th - A Currey. There was only one two, with that scored on the third hole by Paul Pymont.

The visitors included S Flynn (Mudgee GC), A Dodgson and J Tadman (Wentworth GC). Also good to see John Boyle out there again after a short absence.

It was wet out there. The early golfers had the better of the conditions but the rain came in at about late morning and persisted in making everything wet.

A brief clap of thunder and short zap of lightning scurried a few golfers to refuge, but it was the wet which predominated.

The visitors stuck to their guns and completed their rounds.

However, among the Forbes players a number of cards disintegrated, and a few other players found that their wet weather gear was not quite so wet.

In all, seventeen players were unable to complete their round. Plaudits must go to the last group, Dukes, Spice, Maher, Everest and Cahill, who struggled home, finishing in what was the worst of the sudden downpours late in the day.

The wet did have an effect on the required close association a golfer must have with their clubs.

A number of players found their grip slipping, causing unintended shots and some of those 'never to be spoken' shots.

Ethan Gaffney throws everything into his swing. Unfortunately, quite often at the end of the swing his club continued, with a helicopter flight down the fairway.

Graham Newport had a similar problem, where at one stage his club headed high into the trees, but luckily it did not stay up there.

A benefit in these conditions could be found on the greens. With some surface water around, the players were encouraged to aim straight and hit it hard.

This was an effective method used by Rod Besgrove on many an occasion as he sunk many a long putt, to dash the hopes of his opponents.

Perhaps his best was a putt made from the front of the fifth hole. It travelled unerringly towards the hole and plonked in for a par.

Golf has a way of levelling things out, as Greg Webb found out.

He played magnificently down the 15th, with two shots just short of the green and a very fine chip to get very close. He sunk his putt for a birdie.

However, on the 18th green, Greg put his tee shot on the front left of the green.

There was quite a bit of casual water, which he struggled to manipulate his ball through. After five stuttering putts his ball managed to find the hole. This was Yin and Yang.

There was no Sunday Stableford Medley as the Club hosted the CWDGA Pennants, and the continuous rain proved a deterrent for the Sunday golfers.

There were 60 Pennants golfers, who teed off in cloudy conditions. However, a few showers became steady drizzle, which slowed the pace of play down.

Despite the conditions many matches went almost the full 18 holes, with five extending to extra holes.

Hard enough in fine weather but a real drudge when the match finishes with a long walk back to the Golfie.

Our Division 2, 3 and 4 Pennants teams did not play at Forbes.

Our Division 1 team played at Ex-Services course in Orange against Dubbo, in what was described as wet conditions.

They did record a 3-2 win and remain in equal 1st on the ladder.

Wins were recorded by Dan Bayley (one up), S Sallaway (19th) and S Betland (two up). Ecky Dawson had a bad day, going down 7/6, while John Betland had an unlucky day.

He was two-up with two to play. Unfortunately a good shot from his opponent and some bad luck for John meant they finished 18 holes all square.

They battled for four more holes before John missed a putt, through heavy water, handing the win to his opponent

Here is the news

Participation in the Summer Super 6's comp was affected by the threat of wet weather through the week, with a number of teams not posting scores.

Hopefully, the 'Double-points' round for this week (10-16 Feb) will have enticed the less keen players out there.

There is a Callaway Demo Day scheduled for Thursday, February 20.

Callaway are very keen to showcase their new 'Mavrick' range, so if you are a Callaway user or are looking to update then book a time through the Pro Shop and get down there for a look.

We are very lucky to get the golf equipment companies out here for these Demo days, and lucky that Head Pro Ben can get them organised.

Please support these days so they continue to come and we continue to benefit.

A reminder that Dunnedoo Club will be running a nine-hole Pro-Am on Tuesday, February 25, and the NSW Womens Open is being held at Dubbo on February 27 - March 1.

Talk to Ben or Steve for details on these.

At a recent Committee meeting it was decided to introduce a couple of incentive items into the Men's competitions.

Very soon we shall instigate the popular 'Eagle's Nest' ball competition, and also initiate an "Eclectic Comp".

More details on these to come, but give them a go when they do start.

Other ideas are in the pipeline, so watch out for those. And Head Pro Ben shall be organising a Mid-week comp to begin soon.

The 2020-2021 Programme books are being printed and should be available by the end of this week.

It is crystal ball time

Saturday, February 15 has been changed to a Stableford event.

The two person two club Ambrose has been postponed at the request of the sponsor, who is unavailable on the day. Sunday, February 16 has a Stableford Medley.

Saturday, February 22 is a 4BBB Par, sponsored by Highlands Design, and playing for the Ron Barton Memorial Trophy.

Sunday has an 18-hole Stableford Medley, with Pennant duties for all Divisions at Wentworth.

Keep up to date on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/forbesgolfcourse/"

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