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.

The weather for outdoor activity was once again inviting to all, be they cricketers, surfers or golfers. The Forbes golfers took every advantage of the comfortable conditions and acquitted themselves well.

The Saturday Men’s competition was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions, and contested by a field of enthusiastic 76 players who were keen to do well.

The A-Grade saw Kim Herbert with a ‘runaway’ win, scoring 64 nett. Kim was comfortably ahead of Harry Callaghan (66) who led a bevy of strong players. 

The B- Grade saw the closest contest. Ken Sanderson won on count back from Jake Hemming when both finished on 68 nett. 

The C-Grade mimicked the A-grade in scores. Brian Clarke, who is in tip top form, scored 64 nett, ousting visitor Tom Wood (W/W) who had 66 nett. They went stride for stride, but Brian had the handicap advantage.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – R Murray, 18th – J Mallon. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3rd green, went to Reggie Murray with a shot to 2.25 metres. The ball sweep went to 72 nett on count back. Check in the Pro Shop if you think you earned one.

It was pleasing to see many club players back on the course after their long break, and it is also pleasing to see a number of visiting players.

On Saturday, 28th January, the comp is an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Rob Allen Livestock Transport. Forbes will host the CWDGA Pennants on Sun 5 Feb, for which the course will be closed until after midday. Some teams still need players, but all are welcome to come and watch.

Head Pro Adam is organising a Mizuno Equipment Day on 16th February. Contact him or the Pro Shop if you want to try them out.

By Short Putt

The golf course is looking good and it seems that the only thing missing are the flagsticks.

After a concerted effort by the course staff we are excited to announce that golf will re-commence this week with the availability of the back-9 holes. The Forbes Vets will have first use on Thursday, 15th December with the Summer Sixes also restarting that day.

Saturday competitions will commence on 17th December and require playing the back-9 twice using a stroke play format. However, there is more than enough opportunity for social play and the Summer Sixes.

The Pro Shop will be open from this week onwards, with both Head Pro Adam and Assistant Pro Michael ensuring it is fully operational. Call the Pro Shop on 6851 1554 if you have any questions.

Having only a 9-hole layout means there will be a lot of pressure on the course. All players are reminded to repair any pitch marks on the greens, fill any divot holes on the fairway and remedy any holes made on the tees. This will help the course staff in their efforts to get the full course back as soon as possible.

The golf course, along with many other of our community sporting facilities, is gradually drying out under this sunny weather.

On the golf course, drying of the fairways has enabled groundsmen to start mowing with the intent to reduce the rank grass growth before the fairway mowers can work effectively. The irrigation system still needs repair, but most greens can be watered manually.

A spraying program is in action to mitigate against fungal growth. There is still quite a bit of debris around the course and some greens will need repair. 

In the near future we will ask for volunteers to assist with some of the repairs. If you think you can help please call the Course Supervisor, Jack Elliott on 0478 678 804 or Club President, Tony Cogswell on 0418 220 510.

The Pro Shop will be open shortened hours during this week, and then fully operational by the weekend. Please call ahead on 02 6851 1554 to check if it is open.

We expect to get a composite 9-hole layout operational for this weekend, 10th and 11th December. The success of that will determine when we can re-commence the Summer Sixes competition.

By Short Putt

On Sunday the annual Pybar Shootout at the Parkes Golf Club had a strong starting line-up. 

On the 2nd hole Geoff Leonard exited, on the 3rd it was ex-president Mark Kelly’s turn, on the 4th hole Peter Bristol had to pack up, on the 5th hole it was adios to Jarrod Kemp, on the 6th par 3 a double par was way too much for Anthony Riach, on the 7th another gun went pop for Brendan Chambers. 

On the 8th hole David Speakman had trouble with the chip-off, on the 9th hole club President David Stevenson lost an 8-person chip-off, on the 10th Rob Leawent over the fence on his drive. Tony‘Scrubber’ Evans was next to go on theshort 11th. On the 12th one of the favourites Joe Van Opynen exited stage left. Onthe par 5 13th big hitting Phil Barnard leftthe game. On the 14th,another strong contender Michael Thomas went out. On theshort 15th Lindsay Elliott left. On the par 516th it was Robert Norman’s turn.

On the 17th Mick Jeffress, couldn’t keep pace leaving Rob Cheney and the most under rated golfer, Nym Dziuba, to tee off for the prize of Pybar Shootout champion for 2022. Both hit solid drives and then hit decent approach shots in.

Unfortunately, Rob’s putter let him down when it was most needed leaving Nym to close out and take the title. Big thanks to all participants, referee John Green, club Captain Cath Kelly and Pybar rep Paul Thomas, and Steve and Kerry in the clubhouse.

This weekend is the annual 18 Hole 4 Person Ambrose Prostate Cancer Awareness sponsored by the Parkes Prostate group.

By Peter Bristol

The Forbes community is recovering from the effects of two high flood events in two weeks. As with many of the sporting venues around town, the golf course is still quite wet.

The aim is to get the golf course running as soon as possible with the first job to ensure the health of the greens and then to mow the fairways when they dry. There is not much that volunteers can do at present, but once the course dries enough to enable traffic around the course there will be a call for bodies to help with the clean-up.

If you think you may be able to help, call the Course Supervisor Jack Elliott on 0478 678 804 or Club President Tony Cogswell on 0418 220 510. 

Planning is underway for the commencement of competition play when we are able. The Summer Sixes will probably start in the new year with a revamped format.

On the weekend of 12th and 13th November a team of golfers from Forbes and Parkes travelled to Shoalhaven on the South Coast to represent the Lachlan Valley District at the NSW Country Championships.

Our players did well, but their scores of Day 1 – 296 and Day 2 – 294, aggregating the four best individual scores each day, meant they were a long way behind. The eventual winners were Newcastle (280, 280)from Central Coast (281, 280) and Illawarra (281, 282).

Each of the Lachlan Valley team contributed in some way, with Steve Betland and John Betland scoring par 71s along the way.

Pro Shop is closed at present, but stay tuned as best you can.

By Short Putt