Close contest for 4BBB golf victory

The Forbes golfers once again used the excellent conditions to full advantage and produced some very good scores. Such were their efforts that the results were very competitive.

Saturday's comp was a 4BBB Par, sponsored by Highlands Design. Mark Watts enjoys the event but unfortunately was unable to play, as he is still recovering from a shoulder injury. But the 71 players in the field did enjoy themselves, with Rod Besgrove more so as the only swinger on the day.

The competitive spirit was very keen as witnessed by the need for a count back for the winner. Five teams finished on +8, with all teams coming home strong. In the end, it was the Phil Duke/Dave Mylecharane team who were declared winners, finishing ahead of Clayton Alley/Stephen McAlister.

The winning duo shared the load on the front-9, but Phil was the star on the back-9, finishing the round with a '2' on the 18th. Clayton and Stephen were not to be outdone, but Stephen could not take full advantage of his handicap.

The players found the course very much to their liking, with five teams scoring +7 and a further five teams scoring +6. In fact, there were only two teams who scored worse than par. It was good to see a number of new players teaming up with established players. Unfortunately, while they scored well they were unable to grab any prizes.

The ball sweep went to +6 on count back, going to: +8 - Little/Chamdler, Haley/Haley, Medlyn/Edwards; +7 - Hodges/Grogan, Dobell/Ryan, Duncan/Clarke, Churchill/Borger, Shaw/ H Callaghan; +6 - Zannes/Thomas, A Alley/L Alley.

The visitors included Max Medlyn, Alec Edwards (both from Parkes) and Brett Byrnes (Condobolin). The Forbes players new to competition golf included Tom Toohey, Jake Shaw, Alex Whalley, Lindsay Baker, and William Lovatt. They had varying success with their partners. Also good to see Jack Clarke enjoying the fruits of his labours.

The NTP's went to: 9th - Brodie Hodges, 18th - Josh Coulthurst. Brodie got his '2' but Josh missed out. There were nine 2's scored, and strangely three each on holes 3, 9 and 18. The team of Hodges/Grogan scored 2's on the 9th and the 18th.

The 3rd Hole Pro Shop Super Pin was won by Dan Bayley, who shot to a similar distance (1.44 m) of his win a couple of weeks back. He made sure of his '2'.

There was no Sunday Stableford Medley because of the Mens Pennants. Forbes hosted the CWDGA Pennants, and with three teams playing at home had more success. All of our matches had close results.

The Div 1 team had a form reversal and managed to bowl over the more fancied Bathurst. Wins were recorded by S Betland (3/1), S Sallaway (7/5) and P Dawson (3/2). What a great result, as we acknowledge that the Bathurst team comprises nearly all '+' handicap players. This was a welcome individual win by Shane, who has been in indifferent form of late.

Steve B was happy with his win, finding the hole with his putter with monotonous regularity. John B still suffers a bit with his wrist injury, and Dan Bayley was just 'out of touch'.

The Div 2 team did very well with finishing performances by A Dukes and K Herbert to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat. Andy was 2-down with three to play, winning his match 1-up on the 4th hole. Kim Herbert had a similar 'come from behind' victory.

Stephen Uphill was in command all the way, winning 5/4. He chipped in on the 14th, his chip hit the pin on the 15th and stopped dead, then completed the win on the 18th. Clint Hurford remains winless at Forbes. He lamented, "I cannot win at my home course". Just keep winning away from home Clint.

The Div 3 result was a close fought match. Greg Webb, seemingly jaded from his week away playing golf on the Murray, was solid in his 3/2 win. Adam Currey was feeling confident and breezed to a 4/3 win. But Peter Barnes faded to a younger player at the end, Brett Thomas kept missing, and Ian Bown could not find his rhythm from previous weeks.

The Div 4 team played at Cowra against Bathurst. Being one player short they were behind the 8-ball from the start.

Nevertheless they did well with two wins and two losses, and all games being very close. Brett Slack-Smith finished 1-up, and Bruce Chandler won 2/1, while Troy Howe (4/3) and Les Little (3/1) each lost. Here's hoping for a full team next week.

Here is the news:

The Finals series in the Summer Super sixes comp began this week. The top-5 in each Pool, who play in the Main Draw, were decided after the last round-robin last week. There were no surprises, but some very close calls for teams almost dropping out of the top-5 group.

There is also a Plate Draw which will be contested by the second five teams in each Pool. Check on the notice board at the Pro Shop to see how the format runs.

Also, players are reminded of the Grand Final and Presentation on Mar 28, and that while your team may not have made the Finals series, you can still enjoy the Sixes golf format until the Grand Final.

Do not forget to pick up your copy of the Golf Programme Books for 2021. It contains a lot of good information, recognising of course that there will be changes to the programme due to weather influence, etc.

And last but not least, when you see him wish Head Pro Adam a Happy Birthday for Wednesday just passed. He celebrated in style with his family in Sydney, and rumour has it that the sun glasses were badly needed on his drive back to Forbes on Thursday.

It is crystal ball time:

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

The Roving Reporter

Wednesdays 18 Hole Golf saw a field of 27 Ladies hit off on a near perfect day. Van on Park sponsored a Stableford Competition in two Divisions for which we thank you.

Division One winner was our President Julie Hurkett with 35 points and Runner Up our Captain Heather Davidson with 31 on a countback.

The best score of the day went to the Division two Winner Lindy Cowhan with 37 points with Runner Up being Sarah Black with a close 36 points. NTP on 18th was Enid Baker.

Ball Sweep went to 28 points with Sarah Black, Rose Carroll, Heather Davidson, Kerry Stirling, Janet Smith, Sally Perry and Meg Schoefield picking up a ball. Congratulations girls for a good start to the season.

This Saturday 6th is Stroke and 1st Round of Golf NSW Medal which is sponsored by Bowns Sportspower and Betta Home Living, glad to see them reopen in their new location.

Next Wednesday is a Stableford in two Divisions. Entries for the Shootout and Golf NSW Medal are being taken until the end of this month and everyone one has a chance to win the Shootout and Qualify for the Medal and only $6 entry fee for the whole season.

Parkes Tournament is on March 21 which is worth a trip over if you haven't played there before but you do need to nominate.

Many thanks to our sponsors for coming back on board for this year after a not such fun 2020, but the drought did break for which we are truly grateful.