By Short Putt
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The weekend provided warm autumnal conditions, making it easy for players to enjoy their golf. However, the course proved difficult to play and only a handful of players escaped unscathed.
On Saturday the Men's comp was an 18-Hole Stroke sponsored by B & C Autos. The field of 65 were looking for some fine tuning before next weekend, and hoped their swings were well lubricated and their putting caught nothing but the hole in the headlights.
The Division 1 contest proved an easy win for Barry Shine. His 68 nett was well ahead of the rest of the field. His par on the 1st started his round well, but then a run of bogeys caused some concern. It was a different story on the back-9, where he seemingly scored pars at will, with only a couple of blemishes, to finish only 3-over on scratch. Barry's new shoes were comfortable and probably helped his play.
The runner-up was Connor Greenhalgh with 71 nett. His front-9 was similar to Barry's, with a par to start and a number of bogeys, turning on 40 which was one less than Barry. However, the back-9 was a different story. It contained a mix of pars and bogeys with too many of the latter, especially on the last two holes which were disappointing.
In Div-2 the winner had a fair margin on the field, and felt comfortable throughout his round. Dave Tildsley put his good practice to the test and held up well, scoring a nett 69. And like Barry Shine, his back-9 was better than his front-9. It was steady play there, with only a minor blemish, a double-bogey, on the 17th hole.
The Runner-up, and quite some distance behind, was Geoff Drane. His 73 nett was a reflection of his consistent play over recent weeks, especially through the Vets WoG, that had largely gone un-rewarded. He started and finished each half with well executed bogeys, as befits his handicap, and joined those with consistent play. However, while the 17th proved trouble-some it did not matter as he had a good margin to the players behind him.
The ball sweep went to 76 nett, going to: 72 - Brett Thomas; 73 - T Callaghan, T Cogswell, T Griffiths, P Kay; 74 - A Dukes; 75 - N Duncan, G Webb, H Steele-Park, W Lovatt; 76 - J Betland, P Pymont, R Borger, G Hooper, K Herbert, J Shaw, L Little.
The visitor numbers were low, with Wayne Powter, Cody Hando and Phil Barnard, all from Parkes, enjoying a change of scenery. Unfortunately none of them made it into the ball sweep.
The NTP's went to: 9th - S Grallelis; 18th - P Kay. Steve got his '2' but Paul missed out. On the day there were only four 2's, with the remaining three being scored on the 3rd hole. Bob Borger converted his fine tee shot and Peter Barnes managed one, which made up for a '10' on the previous hole. The last one went to Jon Cutler, who sunk a fine long putt.
The Super Pin on the 3rd hole this week went to Bob Borger, which was a welcome reward as a sponsor. Bob's shot was only 58 cm from the hole, rivalling that of Dan Bayley's earlier in the season. He was nervous when he approached his putt, as playing partner Peter Barnes had scored his '2' from long range, and Bob feared any adverse commentary if he missed his short putt.
It was an interesting game for many players. Some players initially scored well enough to contemplate making a victor's speech, and some recovered a bad start with better holes to finish. But overall, only four players scored level par or better on handicap. The best scratch score was a 73 by John Betland, with many other accomplished players approaching the 'century' mark. There was definitely 'something' out there, influencing the scores upwards.
Perhaps it was the shot shape used by players? Neil McMillan found himself drawing the ball nicely, but not when it counted and instead led him into trouble most of the time. Or perhaps it was a lack of concentration on the green. Stevie G missed at least four 2-foot putts or shorter, but it seemingly felt like far more.
Or maybe it was the trees? Max Haley pulled (he is a leftie) his tee shot off the 14th tee into the trees. It was eventually found within the culvert between the 14th and 13th fairway. Then later on, he helped Bruce Carpenter search for his ball after his tee shot had struck 'the tree' on the 16th fairway.
After much searching wide and far, Jeff Haley glanced up and saw Bruce's ball wedged behind a piece of bark, about 2 metres up the tree.
Or maybe it was the moving fence lines? Niel Duncan was adamant the fence on the 6th moved inboard, snatching his ball and causing it to go OB. The resulting '8' was followed by a '7' on the 7th, which put paid to his winning chances despite playing the back-9 to a handicap par. The 2nd hole fence also grabbed a few balls.
The 7th hole snared its fair share of golfers, with the worst of those being Sam Rogers. His '14' on that hole is a story in itself, eclipsing Dave Bernardi's '11'. There were a couple of 10's and 9's. And Caleb Hanrahan had his round marred by an '8' there.
There are some good luck stories - Mike Spice for one. He found the water on two occasions and did not lose a ball. On the first occasion at the 4th he was able to play out of a wet and muddy lie, managing to score a '6'. Then on the 15th he had a lucky bounce off a rock, but remained in the penalty area. He managed to play out okay, going on to score a par.
And no matter the score, some players were thrilled to finish. Sam Rogers was seen to be whopping with joy as he left the 18th green. He managed a double-bogey on the last to give himself a nett 99, under the magical 100. But a counting correction meant he actually raised his bat.
Stevie G was also joyous on the 18th. He had missed so many short putts all day, and so many that his playing partners were afraid to watch. As he score steadily climbed over "the mark' he managed to slot a 10-footer to salvage a par on the 18th, hence the joy.
There were no Stableford Medley contestants, with 'Mother's Day' duties being the priority.
Here is the news:
The Wallace Cup matches are underway, with some close tussles already. George Falvey played against Stephen McAlister in a see-sawing match, with never more than two holes in it. They each had bad holes, and each had opportunities to win, but after 18 holes they were all square. On the 19th, George managed to put his tee shot on the green and two-putted for a par, thus ending Stephen's run in the event.
This weekend we have the Forbes Mens Open on Sunday. It is already a full field, with 164 players registered. It will be a long day for some, and hopefully the last players will finish before it gets dark. All players in the field will need to keep up with the group ahead, and play 'Ready Golf'.
The is the first Round of the 'OConnor Golf Trilogy', which is being played over three Opens - Forbes, West Wyalong (23 May) and Condobolin (30 May). There are prizes for the Best Cumulative Scratch and Best Cumulative Handicap scores across the three events.
Head Pro Adam has started his School Term Coaching Clinics. There are a number of returning juniors from last term's classes and some new juniors. If your child is interested please contact Adam - 0433 485846.
It is crystal ball time:
Sat 22 May is an 18 Hole Stableford, vying for the Wilf Hodges Memorial Trophy. Sunday has a Stableford Medley, and also the West Wyalong Open.
Ladies golf
The Roving Reporter
As promised here are the results that missed out in last week's report.
3BBB Par event played on 28th April had 24 players which was sponsored by V.Lane, D Squires and M Hurst.
The Winners had plus 11 the combination of Debbie Dingwall, Lindy Pollock and Sarah Black combined very well to take the prize. Runners Up were Robin Lyell, Kerry Stirling and Sally Crosby with plus 8.
NTP 9th was Heather Davidson and 18th Meg Schoefield.
On Saturday 8th a Stroke Event which included 3rd Round of Golf NSW Medal saw very good golfing by Ev Uphill(20) with 73 nett to win Division One and Sal Perry(27) who also had 73 nett to win Division Two.
Ball Sweep went to 76 for Heather Davidson, Robin Lyell and EthelCoombs. NTP on 9th Ev Uphill and 18th Julie Hurkett.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to our kind Sponsors. All the news next week from a cold Duntryleague golf course where ten of our Ladies are competing.