On what can only be described as a glorious weekend of weather, the Forbes golfers turned in some good scores.

However, despite the favourable conditions, many players carded lower points scores, claiming they were distracted by the favourable conditions.

The Men's comp on Sat 20 Feb was an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Forbes Bus Lines. The field of 76 players once again split into the early starters and later starters, with no real advantage either way demonstrated in the scoring.

The Division 1 was hard fought, requiring a count back to determine the winner.

Both Dave Earl and Pete Cowhan scored 41 points in total, but Dave got the nod with 22 points on the back-9 compared to Pete's 21 pts.

Dave was a little astray on the front-9 but still managed to hold his score together. Pete was tidier throughout, but found pars difficult to grab at first. Birdies either side of the turn propelled him into the back-9 with confidence.

The Division 2 were not to be outdone with good scoring. Brett Slack-Smith felt refreshed on the front-9, scoring 22 points which helped him to a total of 40 points.

He took advantage of the easier scoring opportunities on the front-9, and managed to hold it together on the back-9 despite finishing with three 1-pointers.

Runner-up was David Tildsley with 37 points. He had a faltering start, then hit his straps through the middle part of his game, before finishing with a mix of one and three pointers. A better start may have nabbed him a win.

The ball sweep went to 34 points on count back, going to: 40 - J Bernardi; 38 - T Callaghan; 37 - J Morell, B Richards, Alf Davies, J Roylance, K Cobcroft: 36 - M Roylance, D Mylecharane, S FRench; 35 - G Webb, R Borger, N Duncan, B Shine, B Squires, A Dukes, J Zannes, D Noll; 34 - W Judge, B Everest and G Falvey.

The visitors included Brendan Ritchie, Willy Dargin, Eaman Coe, Adam Richards and Graham Lake (all from Condobolin), and Rakesh Prasad and Matt Ross from Hunter Valley.

The NTP's went to: 9th - Jacob Bernardi, 18th - Warwick Judge. Jacob got his '2' but Warwick missed out. There were eight 2's scored, all by Div 1 players, and the majority on the 3rd hole where players were really gunning for the 'Super Pin'. Todd Callaghan managed 2's to finish each of the halves.

The 3rd Hole Pro Shop Super Pin seems to have tightened the player's focus on this hole. This week Harry Callaghan put his shot to 79 cm from the hole, well inside the previous best.

Peter Cowhan has been really pleased with his putting of recent weeks. He managed a '2' on the 9th, putting across the width of the green, but was aghast to learn this was for a half on the hole in the group match.

Stevie G managed a '3' with a shot to spoil the moment. Mind you, Pete's long putt for birdie on the 10th made up for it.

Harry Callaghan had a day where he saw plenty of shade. That is, amongst the trees. It may not have helped his score, but at least he did not get any sunburn.

Richard Nixon had a bit of bad luck on his first 18-hole event for quite a while. He parred the 1st hole, but as rumour has it that means his day is ruined. As it turned out he had a good front-9, but a near dismal back-9, thus enforcing the rumour.

Shane Sallaway celebrated his birthday. His score of 29 points was very much below his target of matching his age, which is now going to get harder as each year passes.

One who was happy to be out there was Marty Cahill. His was a social game but he managed to get around okay, enjoy the ambience of friends later, and head home happy. And good to see Barry Shine back on the course.

Geoff Drane had a similar story to most players on the day. He played the front-9 well, scoring 18 points after eight holes. From the 9th hole through to the 15th he only scored three points, but came home strong.

The Sunday Stableford Medley field was too small to warrant a comp.

This was unfortunate for Phil Duke who scored 38 points, ahead of partner Laurie O'Connor with 36 points. If only they had been able to play on Saturday and use those scores then.

Here is the news

Not much to say on our progress in the CWDGA Pennants teams, as not all the results have been posted at the time of going to press.

All games were at Mudgee, where the Div 1 team were playing Wellington. Unfortunately they went down 5-0, with Dave Mylecharane (19th) and Todd Callaghan (1-down) doing the best. The Div 2 and Div 3 results are unknown.

The Div 4 also lost, by 3-2. This team comprises many new players to this format, but they are each steadily improving. The winners this week were Adrian Cole (2/1) and Mark Simmonds (1 up).

Forbes hosts the Pennants this weekend, on Sun 28 Feb. The tees will be closed for social and Sixes play until midday.

There have been some changes to the draw so we are not sure who is playing, but this is a good chance to see some of the top golfers in the District play the game.

This is the last week of the round-robin series in the Summer Sixes Competition. The Finals begin in the week 1-7 March, culminating in the Grand Final on March 28.

In the Finals, the top-5 in each Pool play a 'knock-out' and 'second chance' format, with the last two teams from each Pool playing the Grand Final.

There is also a Plate Draw which will be contested by the second five teams in each Pool. In this, the top two teams from each Pool can play any time during the week of 21-28 March, with the Overall Plate Winner announced at the Presentation.

The Golf Programme Books for 2021 are available at the Pro Shop counter, so grab one. It contains a lot of good information, recognising of course that there will be changes to the programme due to weather influence, etc.

It is crystal ball time

On Sat 27 Feb there is a 4BBB Par, sponsored by Highlands Design, with a Stableford Medley on Sun 28 Feb if any players want to venture out in the afternoon.

The Pennants players will be here also, so the course will be closed until midday.

On Mar 6 we have the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Michael Robinson & Co, with the Stableford Medley on Sunday 7.

Wednesday Golf resumes on Wednesday March 3 with an 18 Hole stableford event. The sponsor is Van on the Park in 2 Divisions. It is also the start of Eclectics, birdies and gobbles competitions.

Saturday March 6 is an 18 hole stroke. The sponsors are Betta Home Living and Bown's Sportspower. It is the first round of the Golf NSW Medal as well as the start of weekend Eclectics.

An explanation as to which days are eligible for the weekend and which days are eligible for the Wednesday Eclectics events will be on the board.

For the start of the new season we will be almost back to normal with score cards being exchanged, removal of flags allowed, bunker in play and the use of sand buckets.

There will be preferred lies of 30cm on the cut fairways (on the hole you are playing) and green surrounds.

Results Canowindra Opening Day. 9 Ladies attended.

Brianna Duncan won the Division 1 Scratch.

Ann-Maree Gaffney won the Div 2 Net and Lindy Cowhan was runner up.

Sally Perry was runner up in Div 2 Stableford.

Alison Kingston won Nearest the Pin for Div 2

Money for Golf NSW Medal and Shootout will be collected in March. $6 per event. The Golf NSW Medal is played over 6 rounds you can choose mid week or weekend not both and the winner is the person with the best three scores in your division. They then go on to compete at regional level.

The shootout is worked out on the best stableford scores between the start of the season and the beginning of September with the top ten players going into a sudden death playoff.

If you are interested in WDLGA Tournament which is on at Duntryleague on Tuesday 11th until Thursday 13th May or the Rose Bowl at Cobar (bus going from Parkes) on July 24/25, please contact Robin to put your name down.

Forbes Tournament is on Sunday May 2nd. Parkes Tournament is on March 21.