The annual Forbes Rugby Union Club (FRUC) Golf Day was held on Friday, 24th March prior to the President’s Lunch, where much needed money was raised for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund (PMMF) and Forbes CanAssist.

Over 42 golfers of all abilities and experience attended the day, which was a good number, considering approximately 28 regular participants were unable to attend due to a clash with other events. 

The day was well organised by Adam Demidjuk and Tony Cogswell from Forbes Golf Association and a great time was had by all. The winners on the day were the Nash, Hall, Gorman and Maclay team.

The golf day raised a total of $4,750 for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund and a further $1,480 was donated to Forbes CanAssist from Life Pharmacy Group and from funds raised at the drinks cart.

The day would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors and everyone who donated items or time, including:

• Causeway Financial, Mike Davis

• Bushmans Tanks, Chris Glenn

• Fugen Constructions, Steve Flannery, Tim and Dan Murphy

• Green Grove Developments Pty Ltd, Greg O’Shanassy and Chris Smith

• The Book Dispensary, Debbie Prior

• Retaining Wall Systems, Tim and Dan Murphy

• BJO Custodians Pty Ltd, Brian O’Sullivan

• Flannery’s Pharmacy and Life Pharmacy Forbes, Sarah Hazell, Jack Buckley and Michael Flannery.

Lastly but most importantly, a massive thank you to everyone who participated and made it such a great day.

The team at Flannery’s Pharmacy are starting to get egg-cited about Easter. Trading hours for the long weekend are:

• Good Friday – closed

• Easter Saturday – open 9am – 12.30pm

• Easter Sunday and Monday – closed.

Have a safe and happy Easter

The Saturday Mens competition was the April Monthly Medal, an Individual Stroke event sponsored by ‘The Roadies’. The field of 50 players revelled in the balmy conditions.

A-Grade required a count back, with Jacob Bernardi getting the nod over playing partner Harry Callaghan after both finished on 66 nett.

B-Grade was close, with Matt Coles finishing on 67 nett, ahead of a fast finishing Ian Bown on 68 nett.

C-Grade was won by Brett Slack-Smithwith 71 nett. Runner-up required a count back when three players finished on 72 nett, but Kyle Sharpe had the better back-9.

The NTP’s went to: 9th P Pymont and 18th C Hanrahan. The Pro Shop Super-pin went to John Betland with a shot to 1.36 metres, which looked good all the way.

The ball sweep went to 73 nett on count back, so check in the Pro Shop if you think you earned one. The lone visitor was Peter Dwyer from Ballarat.

This week is the Easter weekend, with Stableford Medleys on Friday and Monday, an 18-Hole Stroke event for the men on Saturday, and a 3-person Ambrose on Sunday.

By Short Putt

On Saturday 25th March, the mens competition was an Individual Par, sponsored by Forbes Tuesday Golfers. The number of players, 60 in total, were quite good considering the range of activities on offer elsewhere that day.

In Div-1 Reggie Murray produced his best ever score to march away with the honours. He fired an even-par 72 which gave him a score of +7, compiled on the back of a very strong front-9. Runner-up, on count back, was Kim Herbert with +3 who did his best work on the back-9.

Div-2 was won by Chris Moore with a tidy +5. He was consistent across both halves. Runner-up was Dave Tildsley with +4. His game was most consistent with +2 on each half.

The NTP’s went to: 9 th – N Duncan, 18 th – J Betland, with John managing a ‘2’. The Pro Shop Super-pin went to Mick Prior with a shot to 2.03 metres. He did manage a ‘2’, on what proved to be the highlight of his day.The ball sweep went to +1 on count back. Check in the Pro Shop if you think you earned one. 

There were no visitors, although Stephen Stokes managed to swing the clubs again instead of drive a mower.

On Sunday 26th March, the grand final of the Summer Sixes comp was played. The grand final main draw winners were ‘Golf Harvest’ team, with Cowhands finishing one point behind in Runner-up. The Plate Draw final saw ‘Still Trying’ win ahead of ‘Lost in the Trees’. Prizes for non-members can be collected from the Pro Shop, with members prizes going on account.

This Saturday, 1st April the competition is the ‘Roadies Day’ Monthly Medal, sponsored by a ‘bevy of blokes’. Then on Sunday, 2nd April there is a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Saturday, 4th March saw a field of 72 contest the March Monthly Medal.

A Grade Anthony Riach posted 71, in a two over round off his six handicap. Jack Elliott went close with a three over. Wayne Parker shot a seven over to be next in. In the nett event Wayne’s 76 converted to an excellent 65. He had to survive a countback on this score though, with Anthony’s great scratch score also producing a 65 nett.

B grade Rob Cheney shot an 80. Cameron Standen, equalled the score only to go down in a countback. Matt Clarke and Beau Tanswell were on 83. In the nett event to ‘The Baron’ cleaned up with his 65.

C grade Finne Latu fired in a solid 85. In the nett event Ken managed to reverse fortunes with his 65 beating off Finne and Tony who both recorded 66’s.

This month the competitive Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by Anthony Riach with a score of 24.

This coming Saturday, 11th March is an 18 Hole Medley Par Event Sponsored by Ken Keith, OAM, and is the 2nd Round Frank Donnelly Perpetual Trophy.

The Saturday Mens competition was the annual Ron Barton Memorial, a 4BBB event.

Laurie O’Connor and Alf Davies got the nod over Liam Whitfield and Mark Simmonds, with both pairings finishing on 12-under. Laurie and Alf had the betterback-9, while Liam and Mark had veryeven halves.

The NTP’s went to: 9 th – W Nash, 18 th –C Goodsell. The Pro Shop Super-pin, onthe 3rd green, went to Liam Whitfield with ashot to 2.20 metres, he’s making the mostof his come-back season.

The ball sweep went to 7 under on count back with 8 pairings being successful.

There were only two visitors, Charlie Goodsell and Ben Kelly, who did well on 4-under.

Head Pro Adam, and Caleb Hanrahan managed a score of only 6-under, with Alley father and son doing likewise.

This format does not record exceptional play, like the eagle scored by Ecky Dawso on the 6th or the eagle by Luke Flakelar on the 15th. Both results only score a ‘+’ each.

On Saturday, 4th March the compwetition will be the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Michael Robinson & Co. 

By Short Putt

The Saturday Men’s competition was the February Monthly Medal, sponsored by Terry Bros Carpets, with 65 players looking to do well. The winning scores were quite low. 

The A-Grade was won by Scott Kirkman with 67 nett, on count back from Alf Davies. 

The B-Grade went to Warwick Judge with 68 nett, whose par run to finish kept runner-up Kailab Tyne (69) at bay. 

The C-Grade was won by Frank Donohoe who had the ‘Midas touch’ on the greens. His score was the lowest of the day, helped by an almost hole out on the 18th that earned him the NTP. Runner-up was Lachlan Alley on 67 nett. 

The NTP’s went to: 9th, Alf Davies, 18th, F. Donohoe. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3rd green, went to Brendan Hayes with a wide shot to 3.6 metres. The ball sweep went to 72 nett on count back. More than half the field finished on par or better, making for some happy golfers. 

On Sunday the Forbes club hosted the CWDGA Pennants, with three of the home club teams competing. The field of 80 players teed off in cool conditions and enjoyed. the balmy weather throughout the day. 

All Forbes teams tasted success with the Div-1 trouncing Bathurst, 5-0. The Div-3 dominant against Mudgee 4-1, and the Div- 4 narrowly beating Duntryleague 3-2. They play at Bathurst next week. 

On Saturday, 11th February the competition is an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical. Sunday, 5th February has a Stableford Medley. The Mizuno Equipment Day on 16th February is booked out but contact Adam to express your interest and be ‘reserve’. 

Saturday greeted the February Monthly Medal golfers in their second medal round for 2023. 

The major sponsor was again Telescope Tyres and Batteries / Hankook Masters with the day sponsors being the golfing buddies Ben Howard, Brendan Chambers, Fine Latu and Anthony Riach. There were 78 golfers. 

In A Grade Rob Hey stepped up with a 75 off the stick to take the scratch event for the month. Rob was chased in by Ron Hetherington, Brendan Chambers and Peter Bristol all recording 77’s. In the nett event Peter Bristol claimed his first A grade medal prize with 66 nett the best in the grade, followed by Ron Hetherington on 67 and Andrew Bourke and Wayne Powter on 68. 

In B grade Mick Jeffress was unstoppable with 83 off the stick beating home visitor Garry Napier on 84, followed in by Wayne Tucker and Lindsay Elliott on 85. Mick then turned his excellent scratch score into a 65 to scoop the double for the day. Wayne Tucker had a 68 and Simon Hogan a 69.

In C grade Tony ‘Scrubba’ Evans was on fire with an 85 off the stick to beat home David Harwood on 88 with Michael Bond and Usman Cheema on 90. In the C grade nett Tony proved too strong with a 64, followed in by Rod Luyt and Chris Luke on 68 and David Harwood on 69. 

The sought after Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by the score of 26 putts by Luke Clarke. The Wally Norman Vets Medal was taken out by Ron Hetherington with his 67. 

There were some good scores handed in by the lady golfers with newcomer to town Catherine Coates hitting a fine 77 off the stick, Dale Matthews had a 69 nett score and Cath Kelly a 70 nett. 

The Saturday Men’s competition was an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Rob Allen Transport. Division 1 was won by Barry Shine (44 pts). 

Runner-up was Jason Mallon (41 pts). Division 2 was won by Jonathon Cutler (45 pts) with the best score of the day. Runner-up was Seb Simmons, his front-9 was his standout. 

The NTP’s went to 9th B Clarke and 18th R Murray. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3rd green, went to Neil McMillan with a shot to 1.04 metres. It was close enough for a kick-in. The ball sweep went to 37 pts on count back. 

The second round of the BWR Summer Competition was a stroke event, with 70 players competing for the prize. Torin Hando hit an 85 off the stick that returned a 65 nett score, the winner by 2 over Phill Smith whose 81 off the stick saw him with a 67 nett. Torin is just getting started on his golfing odyssey and learned the handicapper can be brutal with 4 shots coming off his handicap. Chris Luke had an 68 nett the same score as Antony Riach whose nett score was achieved off an excellent 74 off the stick. There were also four players returning a 69, Duncan Constable, Ian Phipps firing consecutive 79’s and Craig Dunn and Graham Cooke both firing 96’s to secure their 69 netts. The Nearest The Pins this week were: the Harvey Norman 2nd/11th won by Ian Phipps 97cm, the Westlime 6th/15th won by Torin Hando at 121cm and the 9th/18th won by Aaron Wilkie at 25cm. Ian again picked up the prize on the Harvey Norman hole this week at 97cm. There were too many ball winners to mention. 

With the 2023 season underway, last Saturday saw 76 players contest the first round of the BWR Summer Competition. Our thanks to Brett and Cathy and the team from BWR Accountants and Advisors for their ongoing support. 

Whilst the weather has turned back to our normal summer conditions the course is holding up thus far.

The leading players in this week were a few of our club stalwarts. Colleen Flynn found 44 points and some form in her golf bag. Colleen managed to finish 1 point in front of Ian Phipps, he fired a 76 off the stick. Next in was Bob Barter who managed a solid 42 points. 

There were a host of players on 39 Richard Hamilton, Dub Rodgers, Robert Rea, Blake Smith, David Speakman and Mark Wright. Aaron Wilkie hitting a par round 72, with Blake Smith hitting a 75 and Andy Brownlow from Peak Hill a 76 and Michael Thomas a 79.

The Nearest The Pins this week were – on the Harvey Norman 2nd/11th won by Ian Phipps at 98cm, the Westlime 6th/15th won by Peter Picker at 352cm and the 9th/18th won by Peter Magill at 32cm. Ian picked up the prize at 150cm this week. 

Ball winners were Bob Barter 42, Richard Hamilton, Rob Rea, Dub Rodgers, Mark Wright, Blake Smith, David Speakman 39, Judith Fisher, Usman Cheema, Wayne Tucker, Nick Strudwick 38.

Our first Telescope Tyres and Batteries Hankook Masters Monthly Medal was conducted on Saturday, 7th January with the daily sponsor being the Parkes Service Club.

In A Grade Robert Hey, 1 over par 73. Jack Elliott and Aaron Wilkie only 1 shot behind. Riall Harrison with a 78. Other notables shooting 78’s were Grady Magill and ex-President and Captain Mark Kelly. In the nett event Rob Hey with his 66 nett hard to reach for the A graders although Grady and Mark fired 67’s.

In B Grade James Ward hit 86 to beat Ian Hendry and brother Tony who came in with 87’s. In the nett event Dub Rodgers had a 69 nett to beat Beau Tanswell, with Nym Dziuba and Ian Phipps a stroke back.

In C Grade Peter Picker had a very good round of 87 beating Trevor Chatman by a shot and a further shot back to Finne Latu. In the nett event Peter’s 67 nett thus picking up the double. He beat in Trevor and also Finne just one stroke back.

The Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was taken out by Aaron Wilkie on 25 putts and the Wally Norman Vets Medal was won by Ian Phipps on 70 nett.

The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were; the Harvey Norman 11th by David Stevenson on 188cm, the Westlime 15th by Trevor Chatman on 295cm and the Central West Glass 18th Mark Wrightcm. The lucrative 11th hole was won by David Stevenson at 188cm this week.

Ball winners were Grady Magill, Mark Kelly 67, C.Muller, Trevor Chatman, Finne Latu 68, Mark Wright, Judy Fisher, Beau Tanswell 69.