Clear winners in this week's golf medal competition

The Forbes golfers relished the wonderful, warm autumn conditions across the weekend for their golf, and despite the sand-dusting on the greens produced some excellent results.

The Saturday comp on 6 March was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Michael Robinson & Co. Each of the field of 69 was keen to set themselves up in comfort with good scores early on, and thus build a winning performance that would house them in a Medallist's abode.

The A-Grade was keenly contested, despite a number of players absent as they prepared for Sunday's Pennants. Clint Hurford battled alongside Stephen Uphill, with both recording the same scratch score of 79. But Clint had the edge in handicap, and took the medal by 69 nett to Stephen's 70 nett. Stephen had the better front-9, turning in 38, but his back-9 had more bogeys than Clint.

The B-Grade produced both a run-away winner and the best nett score of the day. Peter Cowhan was serenely 'in the zone' as a he produced a near flawless 63 nett. He had a 36 front-9, which included birdies on the 6th and 7th but followed by an untimely double-bogey on the 8th.

Runner-up was Peter Grayson on nett 68. His swing was well grooved but a lack of concentration to start the back-9, which saw three double-bogeys in a row, was not very well received. But he recovered to come home only 2-over par.

The C-Grade produced the largest winning margin, if not the lowest score. Geoff Drane was in his element as he smote his ball cleanly down the middle of the fairway. He was determined to be a contender and was equally determined to avoid any disasters. He managed the first objective but had an unfortunate result on the 15th hole, which luckily did not cost him. His winning margin of seven shots was nearly a record for this grade.

Runner-up was Steve Grallelis, who was sure he would struggle to win a ball. However, playing alongside the steady influence of Jeff Haley and being inspired by Peter Barnes ensured that Steve maintained his concentration. Except that is on the 15th where he just managed to stay under double-par, but more alarmingly he lost a new ball in the water.

The ball sweep went to 75 nett, going to: 63 - A Alley, 68 - M Ross (Monash), L Alley; 70 - P Pymont; 71 - P Duke; 72 - Brett Thomas; 73 - M Bayley, G Hooper, N McMillan, N Duncan, I Bown; 74 - J Haley, B Parker, T Cogswell, G Newport, B Everest; 75 - D Mylecharane and R Webb.

The only visitor was Malcolm Ross from Monash CC. He was well pleased with the course, scoring a nett 68 in C-Grade but unfortunately was ineligible to win the Medal. Another unfortunate to miss out on the Medal was Anthony Alley, who fired a great round but unfortunately was not marked by an independent, as is required in the major events.

The NTP's went to: 9th - M Spice, 18th - J Haley. The players in Jeff Haley's group were sure they were about to witness a 'hole-in-one', but it managed to slip past the hole by about two feet. His was one of the seven 2's scored, with three each in A and B grades and one in C grade.

The 3rd Hole Pro Shop Super Pin was snared by Ben Robinson, whose 5.19 metre shot was barely 11 centimetres inside Stevie G's shot. Ben missed his '2' and needed Stevie G's putt which he managed for a '2'.

Golf is recognised as a game of opposites. Peter Cowhan was playing well, which was amply demonstrated in his back-9 card. This had a succession of '4-5-4-5' to the very end. Kim Herbert had an opposite experience. He was tidy on the front-9 but in his own words he was 'pretty agricultural' on the back-9, with much repair work to be done on the fairways.

Bruce Chandler was putting well from the outset. However, when the sprinklers came on, albeit for only a short delay, his putting suddenly deteriorated which resulted in many 3-putts thereafter. Geoff Betland had the opposite experience. His putting was woeful at the outset, but he finished on the 18th with a very fine 50-foot putt to secure a par.

It was good to see Rod Besgrove back playing, and enjoying the company of some local 'statesmen'. He was relatively pleased with his score. Craig Barrett was also back with a vengeance. His 'even ton' was not quite expected, but the banter and ribbing among the group was up to the usual high quality.

Peter Barnes had a game of indifferent play interspersed by brilliant shot making. Three pars on the front-9 kept his score acceptable and pars on the 15th and 16th to win the Keno were exemplary. But his shining light was a magnificent recovery for a bogey on the 14th.

He followed his par on the 13th with a wildly hooked tee shot, that rattled among the trees between the 14th and 13th. He fired down the 13th, played over the trees into the middle of the green and had an easy two putt for bogey, which was looking quite worse after his tee shot.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was contested primarily by visiting golfers, with many of our usual Sunday players away on Pennants duty.

The winner was Gary Watts (Coolangatta- Teed Heads GC) with 33 points. He was pretty tidy throughout despite the sandy greens, but managed a wipe on the 10th hole. He offset this with 2's on the 9th and 18th holes, so he must be a good golfer.

Runner-up was Christine Porter with 27 points. Christine struggled with the trees all day, but managed to par the 7th on her first visit.

There were no NTP's and numbers did not allow for a ball sweep.

Here is the news: In the 2021 CWDGA Pennants played last Sunday our teams had mixed results. Our Div 2 team have made the Finals, while our Div 1 team may fall short of the mark. The Div 3 team were desperately unlucky, while our Div 4 team have not fared well.

Winners for the Div 1 team were Shane Sallaway (7/5) and John Betland (5/3), with the result hanging on Steve Betland's match. Dan Bayley (1-down) and Mark Collits 2/1) had both lost narrowly. Steve battled hard, taking the match to the 19th where unfortunately he lost.

The Div 2 team have played well all year, but took a gamble with the team selections for the final round. Andy Dukes led with a 4/3 win, ably supported by Charlie Dwyer (6/4) and Brodie Hodges (5/3). Both Tim West and Josh Coulthurst battled hard but each eventually lost 3/2.

The Div 3 team scored a resounding win over Dintryleague by 5-0. Adam Curry (3/2), Pete Barnes (6/5), Damien Kennedy (4/3) Matt Roylance (3/2) had easy days. Brett Thomas did not relent, taking his match to the 19th where he won.

Unfortunately the Div 4 team were not able to play, thus dropping them to the bottom of the table.

The Semi-finals allocation will be confirmed late this week. We wish the Div 2 all success and support the Div 1 and Div 4 teams as they finish off their competition play.

The Sixes Competition is in its first week of the Finals, played in a modified knock-out format. Most results went according to the finishing positions on the Pool tables, but in the Pool A Plate Bush Divas upset Flip Floppers with a good win.

All results are on the Whiteboard at the Pro Shop. Teams to drop out are Drawshanks, EHAG, 'Boys & Girls' and 'George of the Jungle'.

Players are reminded to provide to the Pro Shop the names of those attending the Presentation Dinner on Sun 28 Mar, being held after the Grand Final is played.

Players may have noticed the new Flagsticks and flags on the course. These have been sponsored by Golf Harvest and Bernardi's Marketplace. It should now be easier to make out the flag, but there may be an optical illusion for distance as they are taller than the previous flags.

It is crystal ball time: This weekend we have an 18-hole Stroke event, sponsored by LJ Hooker (Forbes), on Saturday with a Stableford Medley on Sunday.

Keep in touch on our Facebook page - '.../forbesgolfcourse/', the Instagram page - '.../forbesgolf2871/', and our website - 'www.forbesgolf.org.au'

By the Roving Reporter

Saturday 6th March a Stroke event was played which incorporated 1st Round of Golf NSW Medal with Bown's Sportswear kindly sponsoring this event for which we thank you.

Heather Davidson has started the season well with another win with 77 Nett, Heather plays off 15 handicap. Runner up Carolyn Duncan (21) came in with 78. Ball Sweep went to Carolyn and Briana Duncan(10) with 80. Colleen Venables was closest to the pin on 9th.

Another good attendance on Wednesday 10th with 26 players. I have put handicaps in brackets after the players name as everyone always wants to know this when the results come out. We played a Stableford which was Sponsored by Fleur Wells and Jill Morgan.

The greens were still recovering from the renovation and therefore many near misses, I am sure they will improve each week and thank you Adam for the great yellow flags with the FGA emblem.

Division One was won by Janet Smith(23) with 33 points with Runner Up Sally Crosby(23) on 32 points.

Division Two Winner was Sarah Black(29) with 34 points and Runner Up Sally Perry(27) with 33 points. Ball Sweep went down to 30 points to Sally P, Doreen Barnes, Sally C, Lindy Cowhan, Heather Davidson , Julie Hurkett and Robin Lyell. Nearest the Pin on 9th Sally C and 18th still elusive. Congratulations everyone and thank you to our sponsors.

Coming up this Saturday is a Stableford in Two Divisions and next Wednesday the all important Stroke, 1st Round Golf NSW Medal, Monthly Medal and Putting Competition and hopefully it will be a little cooler. Still time to put your name down for the Shootout and entering in the Golf NSW Medal.