Last weekend Forbes golf course was the place to be with 75 in the men’s competition, plus a ladies division, while dozens more social players enjoyed the course.

“George get it to the hole,” was the word for most of the round on Saturday as golfers experienced something new in playing flag free and cups raised due to safety health regulations brought on by the current Coronavirus situation.

There was a great sense of humour enjoyed by competitors on the day, after the ball toss prior to the first hole for the in-group match play, George Falvey, with a handicap of 13, drew none other than John Betland, who has a handicap of plus 4. Enough said.

With greens on the ‘slow’ side due to recent renovations, John Betland enjoyed his time to score nine birdies. Despite a strong game from the tee George took a while to get the message, ‘don’t be short’, as he continually frustrated his talented partner. One who did not have to worry about the putter was Ronnie Morris who scored a hole-in-one after ‘tipping’ the cup on the par three ninth.

Division 1 winner Max Haley was able to score six over par for 45 points while runner-up, Jacob Bernardi, a ‘newer’ player who highlighted brute strength from the tree only a couple over par for 43 points.

Jack Dobell took all honours winning Division 2 with 46 points, eight over par 80, while Ronnie Morris was runner-up on 42 points.

Unfortunately, all future events have had to be cancelled. Golf in Forbes, like all other sports, is now finished for the foreseeable future amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew McDonald, President of the Forbes Golfers Association, stated that from Monday, 30th March, Forbes Golf Club will be closed following the advice from Golf Australia.

By Short Putts Mate

Beryl and Lynnie Roberts with their SOYA 2020 Award.

The Forbes Golf Club Division 3 Pennants team won the Final, played at Duntryleague on Sunday. A close 3-2 result was earned all the way, with on-course Captain Bob Borger clinching the deal.

Greg Webb lost his form to lose 5-4 while Brett Thomas fared no better finishing with an 8-7 loss. Ian Brown was solid all day to win 5-4, and Brodie Hodges came back from 3-down early to win 3-2 and avenge his defeat by the same player in the Pool games.

Bob Borger held the tension to the very end, with his match going to the 18th where his steady chip and good lag putt was too much for his opponent. In the other Divisions, Mudgee defeated Bathurst 4-1 to win Division 1, while Division 2 was won by Parkes over Mudgee 3-2 and Cowra defeated Wentworth by 3.5 – 1.5.

In the Men’s competition on Saturday, a 4BBB sponsored by C&D Floorcoverings, 48 players managed better cores than last week. Bede Tooth and David Bernardi were the winners with 40 points, on count back from Bruce Chandler and Niel Duncan also on 40 points. Unluckily, Barry Shine and Geoff Betland missed out entirely despite their 40 points.

The ball sweep went to 38 points on count back: 40 – B Shine/G Betland; 39 – J Zannes/ D Rhodes, N McMillan/ B Carpenter, R Taylor/ R Besgrove; 38 – E Gaffney/ B Robinson, and A Alley/ L Alley. The NTP’s went to 9th – J Haley; 18th – R Smith. The visitors included Stuart Hayes from Murrumbidgee and Allan Gear from Monash Golf Club.

The Sunday Stableford Medley also showed improved scores. The winner was Michael Hanlon of Condobolin with 41 points, who stopped in for a game on his way home. Runner-up was John Boyle with 33 points, but only on count back.

Ethan Gaffney on the first tee.

The Men’s Medal competition on Saturday, sponsored by Michael Robinson & Co, was played by 57 players who all found it quite tough. A-Grade winner was Todd Callaghan with a 73 nett. Runner-up was Peter Dawson with 74, getting there on count back. The B-Grade went to Neil Duncan with a very good nett 72 and runner-up was Barry Parker with 74.

The C-Grade saw many high scores, with the best being Ben Robinson on 73 nett. Runner-up was Ron Morris with a 76, who piped Geoff Betland on count back.

At the Sunday Stableford Medley John Boyle managed a win with 35 points, with runner-up Ethel Coombs on 30 points. There was no ball sweep, while both the NTP’s went to J Boyle.

At the CWDGA Pennants played at Wentworth on Sunday, the Division 1 team needed a win to stay on top, but unfortunately a narrow loss (3-2) to Mudgee in a very tight match has ended their season. The Division 3 team once again scored a 5-0 win, this time over Mudgee. Despite the score it was very tight. Peter Barnes won emphatically (8-7 win), with tight wins to Bob Borger (1-up), Doug Churchill (1-up win) and Brodie Hodges (1-up). Ian Bown was focused in his 2-1 win.

The Division 3 team will head into the Final against Cowra, to be played at Duntryleague on Sunday, 15th March. The Divi- sion 1, Bathurst vs Mudgee, will determine the winner. The Division 2 Final is between Mudgee and Parkes, while the Division 4 Final is between Cowra and Wentworth.

On Saturday, 14th March we have a 4BBB Stableford, sponsored by C&D Floorings. Sunday, 8th March has the Stableford Medley, with the Pennants for Division 3 being played at Duntryleague.

By Short Putt