The golf course was in splendid condition following the recent welcome rains. Those conditions were matched very well by many of the golfers taking advantage to score well, with none more so than Barry Shine.
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On Saturday the re-scheduled two person-two Club events was replaced with an Individual 18-hole Stableford event, sponsored by Cahill Footwear.
The majority of the field of 59 were done and dusted by mid-morning, as they sort to venture to other activities.
Division 1 was taken by storm through the efforts of Barry Shine, with his 41 points. Despite a few blemishes it was a round worthy of acclaim, as Barry did not miss a fairway all day, backed up by only four bogeys all day.
Runner-up was Andrew McDonald with 38 points, obviously refreshed from a recent trip away and enjoying the green grass of home.
The Division 2 players also returned very creditable scores. Phil Wells finished on top with his score of 39 points, closely followed by Rod Besgrove on 38 points.
Phil started with two pars, and snared another three pars in the front-nine. He must have thought he had sunk his ship with an eight on the 15th, but he held form to the end.
Rod's game was built on the strength of his putting, where he consistently sunk putts from long range.
The ball sweep went to 33 points on count back: 37 - N Duncan, A Dukes, J Bernardi, B Parker, Alf Davies, A Alley; 36 - P Grayson, S Grallelis, C Barrett; 35 - F Donohoe, J Dobell; 34 - J Cutler, G Willis (D/league); 33 - R Baker, P Tisdell, P Duke.
The NTP's went to: ninth - D Rhodes; 18th - R Smith. Richard got his two, which was the only one of the day. The visitors included a group of players from Duntryleague - Greg Willis, Chris Kelly, Steve Fulmer and Mark Hildebrandt. They were pleased to be playing on grassy fairways, although they were unsure of how to play the flat land.
The course was in fine fettle (to use a horsey phrase), which led to some remarkable stories. Barry Shine was on his toes all day - literally.
Many were the times he played shots with only his toes touching the ground, very like Phil Duke, who is often air bourne in his shots.
Rod Besgrove seemed to weave magic with his putter. He repeatedly sank long putts, which was annoying for his opponents who thought they had the hole won.
Some of his long putts were what remains after a longer putt was reduced by a very short first attempt. But despite this skill he still lost the money.
The good weather does bring out different behaviours. Terry 'Tornado' Griffiths welcomed the shade his sombrero hat gave him, making a fashion statement itself.
There was Paul Kay who practiced 'branch weaving', where he tried to weave his club around branches whilst playing a shot. He became well versed in it.
And then there was the forgetfulness aspect, brought on by a good feeling after a good day. Peter Grayson arrived home to find his score cards still in his pocket.
He raced back to the Pro Shop before the comp closed, ensuring he and Max Haley had their scores in.
Mike Wood knows his way around the course, often using his length off the tee to find advantageous positions from which to attack the green with his approach.
He was seen playing his second to the 14th green from the 15th fairway, and again approaching the 16th green from the far side of the fourth fairway. It is a tactic that seems to work.
Craig Barrett has an alternative approach. On holes with severe hazards, he cautiously approaches the danger. On the 15th his tee shot was a bit shy, so he laid up before the creek.
He laid up again for his third shot, knowing the margin of error was too great to carry the water. Then he laid up in the water, probably caught between laying up again or giving it a real bash.
Our visitors from Duntryleague did enjoy the day. The visit came about because one of the players had received a birthday gift from his wife - payment for a round of golf somewhere.
So they met up with good friend Terry Griffiths and tackled the Forbes course. There was some concern for their whereabouts, as they were quite late getting, seemingly lost on the course somewhere. But they made it home, full of frivolity.
The Sunday Stableford Medley again had a small field with many regulars away on Pennants duties.
Mike Spice carried the day with 38 points, seemingly fresh after the festivities at Marty Cahill's wedding. Mike started and finished the front-nine with twos.
There was no Runner-up or Ball sweep. The NTP's, sponsored by GWG, were hit and miss. No-one made it on the ninth, but Mike took the 18th quite easily, although his putting left a lot to be desired.
On Sunday the Club's Pennants teams played Cowra at Wentworth GC. The course was still quite dry, as Orange has not had as much rain as Forbes, which led to some intriguing results from the bounce.
Our Division 1 team did extremely well, winning 5-0 with all players having comfortable wins. D Bayley (8/6) led the way, with M Collits (5/4), S Sallaway (4/3) doing well and J Betland (4/3) and S Betland (3/2) finishing well.
The Division 2 team also won (4-1), thanks to T West (4/2), C Dwyer (6/5) E Gaffney (1 up) and M Wood (19th). K Herbert had no luck in his 4/2 loss.
The Division 3 team were also winners, by 3-2. S French (5/4) and G Webb (7/6) had an easy day while P Barnes fought hard to win on the 20th. B Hodges and I Bown both went to the wire but both losing 1 down.
The Division 4 team once again could not find the right formula, going down 1-4.
Stuart Thomas was the winner, contributing well to win 3/2. But S Grallelis (2 down), S McAlister (3/1) and L Little (6/4) could not snare a win.
Troy Howe had no luck in the finish of his game. He was well up, but then miss-timed swings, annoying penalty areas and a shank meant he ended on the 18th all square.
He was in good position to win the 19th but the putting gremlins got him there. Bad luck mate.
Here is the news
We say farewell to Tommy Punnett, the Touring Pro who has been helping his good mate Ben Gear during the summer.
Tommy has shown true dedication to his game, often seen late into dusk fine tuning his putting, or honing his chipping skills. We thank him for his company and wish him well on the Australian circuit.
We congratulate Marty Cahill on his nuptials held on Saturday, February 15. He is away for three weeks, but catch up with him on his return to congratulate him.
The Summer Super 6's comp is getting to the stage where handicaps are frozen, which may have a significant effect on the final placings on the Pool tables.
But the challenges are still there, so get out, focus and enjoy yourselves.
Players would have noticed the variation in the handicaps from Blue to White tees, arising since the change in the software at the end of January.
Despite this there have still been good results recorded. Players are reminded to check your GA and Daily handicap before you play the comp.
Do not forget the Pro-Am at Dunnedoo Club, a nine-hole event, on Tuesday, February 25. And of course make the time to get up to Dubbo to see the NSW Womens Open on February 27 March 1. Talk to Ben or Steve for details on these.
With the recent rains it is pleasing to see water in the penalty areas (previously referred to as hazards).
In order to keep the course in good condition, drivers of carts are requested to use the culvert crossings, and not drive through the wet areas on the fifth, 13th, and 14th fairways, and avoid wet areas elsewhere on the course.
Players are also reminded that in an Individual Event if they pick their ball up rather than complete the hole during a competition round, they should record an 'X' in the P2 column.
Picking the ball up results in - a 'miss' in Stableford, a 'minus' in Par, and a 'DQ or NCR' in a Stroke event.
It is crystal ball time
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 Divisions 1-3 at Cowra.
Keep up to date on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/forbesgolfcourse/.