The golf course was very wet due to the welcome rains but that did not stop John Betland from posting another faultless round to win the A grade Monthly Medal stroke event last Saturday, sponsored by Terry Bros Carpets. Power and touch resulted in 66 nett to win from Jacob Bernardi on a countback.

Tony Wallace hasn’t been seen on the course much lately but he ‘fleeced’ his mates scoring the round of the day, 64 nett in B grade. Doug Churchill runner-up with 67 nett. In C grade, Bede Tooth with 66 nett was winner from Jack Dobell 67 nett.

Due to Coronavirus regulations there were no nearest the pins, while ball sweep winners included, 66 nett Ethan Gaffney, 68 nett Lee Grierson, who is home from study in Wollongong, Jeff Haley, Stuart French, Brett Thomas, Phil Maher, 69 nett Ben Robinson, Todd Callaghan, Peter Dawson, Shane Sallaway, Charlie Dwyer, Ross Williams, Max Haley, 70 on a c/b Brian Everest.

Sunday was the final of the Summer Sixes competition. Grand final winners were Forbes Automotive Services consisting of Jack Dobell, Kyle Biles, Kallum Tyne, Jon Cutler, Nick Ryan and Brad McMillan with a score 94.5 from EHAG 98.5, Pro Shop Dream Team 100 and Flip Floppers 104.

Despite distance and health regulations concerning COVID-19 there is still plenty to keep all regular golfers on course including a hit from 9.30am with regular Tuesday social players. The same for veteran social players on Thursday with tee off around 10am and then the weekend competitions.

One very important message to all, listen to what is being said when paying green fees at the window of the Pro Shop. These instructions are vital to golf being played in the coming weeks and months.

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

 

Golf appears to one of the few sports able to be played during social distancing. There are tough times for all and at the time of print, information and advice may change.

Last Saturday 59 played everyone’s favourite, a par event sponsored by Brian Everest, naturally from Everest Auto’s. Ian Bown who has taken over presentations, had great delight in telling all he won the A grade with plus three from George Falvey. However, Ian was lucky to be only one plus from Ian who let a plus 5/6 score go playing the first 14 holes as good as anyone.

In B grade Matthew Duff stole the show winning with plus six scoring an even card with plus three, both nines. Pluses on the 8th, 9th and 10th were a triple highlight.

Ross Williams is rated one the best handicap players in the club and demonstrated how to finish next the beat on plus four, plus one on the front nine then plus three on the run home.

Benny Robinson was the best of seven players on Sunday in the medley scoring 39 points winning on a count-back while Ethan Gaffney took both nearest the pins.

This Saturday, 28 March will be the Sanderson Memorial Golf Day. Over the years this has been one of the major events with fields of around 200 players quite common. The event was scheduled to be four ball Ambrose but with uncertainty as to the number of locals having a hit along with visitors, who are usually strong in support, the competition has been rescheduled to individual stableford.

Players are asked to please consider restrictions and rules regarding the Coronavirus and veteran players are advised that competition in the Forbes/Parkes weekly Thursday 12-hole competition is suspended until further notice.

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.

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

The Ian Simpson Real Estate sponsored Men’s competition on Saturday was an Individual Stroke. A field of 60 players scored well with a count back needed to decide the Division 1 winner.

The Division 1 was won by Peter Barnes over Andrew Brownlow of Peak Hill after both had finished on nett 67. The Division 2 had Ross Williams, with nett 73, a clear winner ahead of Craig Barrett with a nett 74.

The ball sweep went to 75 nett on count back: 70 – E Gaffney, J Coulthurst, P Daw- son; 72 – B Parker, K Herbert; 73 – W Clay- ton, GWebb, JHaley; 74 – PDuke; 75–S Uphill, J Zannes, P Nixon, T Griffiths, B Everest.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had a small field. Bess Shields won with 34 points. There was no runner-up or ball sweep, and nobody hit the greens so no NTP’s either.

The Club’s Pennants teams played the fifth round at Wellington on Sunday. John Betland had the biggest win of 7/6 over Aaron Wilkie from Parkes. Bob Borger battled to the 20th hole for his win.

The Summer Super 6’s comp is now into its final week, with very little separating the top seven teams in each Pool, from which five teams from each Pool will advance to the Finals. The Grand Final will be held on Sunday, 5th April, with the Presentation to follow that evening, upstairs in the Golf Club.

Mark your calendars for the Sanderson Memorial Day on 28th March, and a 3-Person Ambrose on 19th April. Contact the Pro Shop for details.

Saturday, 7th March is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Michael Robinson & Co. Sunday, 8th March has the Stableford Medley with the Pennants for Division 1 and 3, continuing at Wentworth.

Keep up to date on the facebook page: www.facebook.com/forbesgolfcourse/

By Short Putt

On Saturday the event was Individual 18-hole Stableford, sponsored by Cahill Footwear. The field of 59 players returned good scores in great conditions.

Division 1 winner was Barry Shine with 41 points, ahead of runner-up Andrew McDonald on 38 points. Barry hit every fairway, while Andrew was refreshed after a trip. The Division 2 winner was Phil Wells with a score of 39 points, closely followed by runner-up Rod Besgrove on 38 points.

The ball sweep went to 33 points on count back: 37 – N Duncan, A Dukes, J Bernardi, B Parker, Alf Davies, A Alley; 36 – P Gray- son, S Grallelis, C Barrett; 35 – F Donohoe, J Dobell; 34 – J Cutler, G Willis (D/league); 33 – R Baker, P Tisdell, P Duke.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – D Rhodes; 18th – R Smith. There were four visitors from Duntryleague – Greg Willis, Chris Kelly, Steve Fulmer and Mark Hildebrandt.

The Sunday Stableford Medley again had a small field with many regulars away. Mike Spice won with 38 points. There was no Runner-up or Ball sweep. The NTP’s, sponsored by GWG, saw no-one make it on the 9th, but Mike took the 18th quite easily.

Farewell to Tommy Punnett, the Touring Pro who has been helping at the Pro Shop during the Summer. Tommy was often seen fine tuning his putting or honing his chipping skills. We thank him for his company and wish him well on the Australian circuit.

The Summer Super 6’s competition will finish the last two weeks with handicaps frozen, which may affect the final placings on the Pool tables.

Saturday, 22nd February is a 4BBB Par, sponsored by Highlands Design, playing for the Ron Barton Memorial Trophy. Sunday has an 18-hole Stableford Medley, with Pennant duties for Divisions 1-3 at Cowra.

By Short Putt

The Individual 18-hole Stroke Medal competition on Saturday, sponsored by ‘The Roadies’ group of club members, was contested by a field of 57 who eagerly wanted to win their respective Grades.

The A-Grade winner was Mark ‘Stubbie’ Collits with a fine 69. Mark had to ward off Dave Mylecharane, runner-up on count back, and Peter Cowhan who missed out. They played well, with each having only one blemish.

The B-Grade also scored low. Dave Rhodes was confident throughout his 71 nett. Runner-up was Laurie O’Connor, 72 on count back from Jeff Haley. The C-Grade also went low, with the winner Nick Ryan finishing on 68 nett and recording the best score of the day. The runner-up was Matt Duff with his 71 nett.

The ball sweep went to 73 on count back: 68 – N Ryan; 69 – M Collits, D Mylecharane, P Cowhan; 70 – K Cobcroft; 71 – R Rho- des, S Kirkman, M Duff, R Webb; 72 – J Dobell, N McMillan, L O’Connor, J Haley; 73 – I Bown, C Simmons. The NTP’s went to: 9th – D Mylecharane; 18th – S Grallelis.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was a small affair with many players away on Pennants duty. The winner was Andrew Dukes with 27 points. There was no runner-up or ball sweep. The NTP’s, sponsored by GWG, also went to Andrew, as he collected both.

The Summer Super 6’s comp is doing well. Some teams will benefit from the next ‘Double-points’ round, due on the week of 10-16 February.

The NSW Women’s Open, being held at Dubbo on 27th February to 1st March, offers an opportunity for local golfers. They can either volunteer to help and gain free entry plus some ‘goodies’, or they can apply now for free entry tickets. Contact the Pro Shop or Club Captain for details.

By Short Putt