The promise of good weather for the first day of the long weekend ensured a huge support for the Annual Can-Assist Golf Day. The players were keen to not only get a good score, but to support the Forbes Branch of Can-Assist. Sunday's and Monday's golf was quieter as mediocre weather and family commitments dominated.

In the main event, 111 players contested the Can-Assist 4-person Ambrose Charity Day. This was a pleasing result for the organisers, who were mindful of the hiatus over the past two years due to inclement weather and the Covid issue. There was also huge support from sponsors, enabling the efforts of the golfers to be well rewarded.

This event has both Scratch and Handicap scoring, for which any results in this format need to be very low to be assured of a win. This year the winners were low, but the tricky greens contributed to scores that were a little higher than anticipated.

The winners were:

Scratch Winners: T West, N Corliss, R White, S Edmonds - 66 on c/b

Scratch Runners-up: J Roylance, M Little, B Thomas, S Sallaway - 66.

Handicap:

1st - J Morell, R Pike, A Saar 57 nett.

2nd - D Noll, W Ritchie, S Redfern, T May 57 1/4.

3rd - T Howe, R Grayson, G West, S West 57 3/4.

4th - E Coote, M Browne, C Alley, D Kennedy 59 3/4.

5th - M Simmonds, L Whitfield, A Cole, J Reid 59 7/8.

6th - A McKinnin, H McKinnon, G Everest, N Herbert 59 7/8.

Bradman - Ladies: S Crosby, J Barton; Men: M Skene, L Evans.

NTP's: Men 1st - M Roylance; 3rd - M Simmonds; 9th - M Skene; 18th - P Mitchell.

NTP's: Ladies 1st - nil; 3rd - K Garrand; 9th - J Hurkett; 18th - nil.

2nd shot on 12th - Ladies: H Davidson; Men: D Tildsley.

Formal recognition will be made to all of the sponsors, but hearty thanks to them for their contribution. Primary organiser, Andrew Grierson, thanked all the players for their huge support, and especially those who travelled from afar. Can-Assist President also expressed his thanks to all the participants, noting that with the golf and wood raffle contributions the group had received over $3,800 for their efforts.

Thanks also to the Can-Assist team for their catering duties and to Beryl and Lynnie Roberts for their work on the Leader board and collating the results. Thanks also to the greens staff for getting the course prepared amidst some challenging weather and bird influences.

This format allows for each team member to have a shot from the spot that is designated the best of the group, be it a tee shot, fairway shot or putt. So each team member has a chance to contribute.

The guiding light for a good team performance is that each member has a few good shots somewhere around the course. But it can be unlucky for some players, who may have great intent but alas lack the execution. Shane Sallaway intended to use his length of shot to get his team around the course, but unfortunately his direction was amiss. He admitted to not finding a single fairway all day with his drives. It remained the task of the other team members to get their shots in and finish among the prize winners.

Individual performance can be well rewarded also. Andrew Grierson was shaping to tee off from the 4th tee, when there was a loud crash behind him. Matt Simmonds tee shot on the 3rd had hit the flagstick on the full and dropped almost dead to give him the NTP thus far. He held this prize to the very end,

Sunday was no Stableford Medley comp, due to a very quiet day on the course.

Monday had a Stableford Medley, with some very keen golfers out there to gain some exercise. The day's weather was indifferent, which was reflected in the range of scores.

The clear winner was Caleb Hanrahan with 34 points. He was marginally better than runner-up Phil Maher with 33 points. Caleb had an even game with a 17-17 points split. Phil was rusty at first with 14 points, but then rushed home with 19 points.

The ball sweep went to 32 points on count back. The lucky ones were Dan Bayley and Jacob Bernardi. There were no NTP's, as the markers were neglected to be put out.

Here is the News:

The Lachlan Valley Pennants and Championships, are on this Sunday, 20 June, at Parkes. This is the premier event for Lachlan Valley District golf, with Pennants (teams of 6) and Individual Championships contested in the same event. Good luck to all who attend. There may be room for some late nominations so contact the Club Captains or the organiser.

It is pleasing to bring news of the success of one of our local golf success stories. James Grierson recorded his first professional golf win when he won the Glencore Oakey Creek Coal Pro-Am, played over 36 holes at Tieri CC in Central Queensland, and one of the events in the Adidas Pro-Am series. After scores of 66 and 65 he finished on 13 under to win by four shots.

This win and a top-20 finish in the recent Queensland Open gives him confidence to contest in the Australasian Pro Circuit. This also shows he is back to form after battling illness over recent years. We wish him well and look forward to seeing his name atop the leader board very soon.

The Wallace Cup matches are progressing well. Players need to be mindful of the completion dates for each round to ensure we complete the event in good time.

Recently Head Pro Adam participated in the PGA Professionals Championship, held at Twin Creeks GC on 1 June. By his own admission he struck the ball well but his putter was very cold. He finished on 3-over, well outside the prize list and about the middle of the field of 72. He did earn valuable points for his PGA status.

Crystal Ball Time:

Sat 19 June is the Mens 4BBB Stroke Championships, sponsored by HG Duff and Partners. Sunday 20 has a Stableford Medley at home, while the LVDGA Pennants and Champs will be held at Parkes.

Sat 26 and Sun 27 June is the 36-hole Foursomes Championship, sponsored by FINDEX of Forbes. There is a Stableford Medley on Sunday for other players.

By The Roving Reporter

The rain on Wednesday 9th was wonderful for the district and golf course however the clubs had to remain in their bags therefore only a brief report this week.

The Can Assist Golf Day on Saturday was a huge success with 111 players, it was an Ambrose with 2, 3 or 4 players in a team. Those that had 4 in a team had very low scores.

Only a couple of all girls teams of four participated and did very well against the long hitting mens teams.

The best Ladies team comprised Ethel Coombs, Colleen Bratton, Enid Baker and Julie Hurkett who won a box of balls each. A pair of girls won the Bradman award for having the highest score of the day.

The postponed Pennants match against Wentworth is being played on Friday 25th June at Forbes with the same team that won at West Wylong.

The 27 hole Foursomes Championship is the next day and if you have not found a partner just put your name down on the sheet and maybe you will get a game.