The Saturday Men’s comp two weeks ago was an Individual Stableford sponsored by the Tuesday Golfers, and contested by a smaller field of 45 players.

The A-Division was won by Dave Mylecharane with 39 points, compiled through steady play. Runner-up was Paul Kay with 38 points, resulting from even halves of 19 points each. The B-Division saw Steve Grallelis win with 39 points, ahead of runner-up Craig Barrett on 36 points.

The ball sweep went to 36 points: 39 – D Mylecharane, S Grallelis; 38 – P Kay; 37 – B Parker, R Nixon, L O’Connor, M Wood; 36 – J Zannes, G Webb, C Barrett, N Mc- Millan. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Mat Duff; 18th – Doug Churchill.

Most scoring was on or below average with only seven scores better than par. Putting was a problem for many, exemplified by Brian Everest’s four missed 2-foot putts.

Players either missed the fairways like Ecky Dawson, spent time in the trees like Kim Herbert, or lost concentration leading to hitting the wrong ball like Craig Barrett.

Both Neil McMillan and Mike Wood lost valuable equipment, their thongs, but thankfully these were found.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was very quiet. Neil McMillan did well to win the day with 36 points. Runner-up was Ken Sanderson further back on 33 points.

There was no ball sweep. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ray Taylor; 18th – nil, as no one hit the green.

The Stableford Medley on Monday saw A Alley win with 38 points, ahead of D Mylecharane on 36 pts. The balls weep went to: L O’Connor, S Sallaway. There were no NTP’s.

Head Pro, Ben reminds all players to keep hydrated in the hot weather. Take plenty of drink with you, aiming to drink three litres per 9-holes.

By Short Putt

The Men’s Comp on Saturday, 19th January was the fifth running of the Australian 2-Person 2-Club Ambrose Medley Championship, sponsored by Cahills Footwear. There were 50 enthusiastic players scrambling for the national title.

This format requires teams of two to be very inventive with their shot making, whilst using unfamiliar sticks. The winning pair did just that, with John Zannes and Dave Rhodes finishing on nett 58. They manufactured 11 birdies, three bogeys and four pars on a day when everything went just right.

Runners up were Andy Dukes and Mike Spice with 60 nett, having finished on the same scratch score but being beaten on handicap. They did pick up other prizes, snaring the NTP on the 1st (A Dukes) and 12th Nearest to Pin 2nd shot (M Spice). Other prize winners were: NTP 3rd – S Kirkman; NTP 9th – D McAuliffe; NTP 18th M Watts; longest drive – J Zannes. The ball sweep went to 66.5 nett: 58 – J Zannes/ D Rhodes; 60 – A Dukes/ M Spice; 62.5 – L O’Connor/ D Mylecharane; 65 – D McAuliffe/ R Besgrove; 66.25 – R Webb/ P Tisdell; 66.5 – R Borger/ D Churchill.

Some fantastic shots were played, with getting onto the green from the wrong fairways.

There were also some bad shots, with one pair fluffing both drives on the 6th with the best drive not reaching the ditch.

Sunday dawned with promise of good weather, but it soon turned oppressive, leading to a small field in the Stableford Medley.

The scoring was good, Bruce Carpenter winning on countback from Steve Betland, both on 40 points.

There was no ball sweep. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Steve Betland; 18th – nil, they all missed. The 2019 CWDGA Pennants, commenced on the 3rd February with the first round being played at the Ex-Services Club. We wish all teams good luck.

By Short Putt

The Men’s Comp on 12th January was an 18-hole stroke event, sponsored by Rob Allen’s Livestock Transport, with 62 players enjoying the weather. During play, Max Haley especially enjoyed the 18th hole where he recorded a hole-in-one. As usual he was quite calm about it.

The A-Division winner was Dan Bayley, with 63 nett that was most satisfying as he had all his touch on display. Runner-up was Niel Duncan, who also had a good score finishing on 65 nett to once again be a ‘bridesmaid’.

The B-Division players were also well below par. Steve Grallelis was pleased with his game finishing on 69 nett to win. Runner- up was new member George Falvey who did well on the back-9, finishing with 70 nett.

The ball sweep went low, going to 70 nett on count back: 63 – D Bayley; 65 – N Duncan, P Maher; 66 – P Nixon; 67 – Mike Wood; 68 – Max Haley; 69 – K Sanderson, P Grayson, R Taylor, S Grallelis, A McDonald; 70 – M Spice, G Falvey, S French, D Churchill, J Haley. The NTP’s went to: 9th – S Kirkman, 18th – M Haley. The visitors included Lloyd Cotterill (Brisbane GC) and good mate Kevin Crapp (Russell Vale GC) and Stuart Hayes (Murrumbidgee). Mike Woods scored an eagle on the 2nd to start his round, while Neil McMillan lost the head on his wedge while playing a shot on the 7th, thus causing him to manufacture shots all day.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had a good field of 12, where the top scoring continued. Paul Kay was the winner on 37 points, on count back from Barb Drabsch.

The ball sweep went to 36 points, being collected by Ethel Coombs, nudging out four players on 35. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ray Beacroft (The Grange); 18th – P Kay.

One player on the 15th tee had his ball hit the ‘Betland Tree’ and return almost directly to his feet. That mucked up his score.

The 2018 Wallace Cup was completed in 2018, with Neil McMillan victorious over Stephen Uphill. What was anticipated as an even contest, with both on the same handicap, turned into a comfortable win to Neil by 6/5.

A “New Rules 2019” presentation was the previous week and was well attended.

There is a large amount of material available, so get your handbook and any questions answered by Ben at the Pro Shop.

The 2019 CWDGA Pennants, commence on 3rd February with the first round being played at the Ex-Services Club. Please advise Ben or Stevie G if you are willing to play.

The 2019 Programme Book will be available in early February. A Programme for February will be displayed in the Pro Shop.

Also remember that the 2019 NSW Vets Programme Book is available at the Pro Shop.

Saturday, 19th January was the Australian Championship 2-Person 2-Club Ambrose, sponsored by Cahill’s Footwear,  followed by the Stableford Medley on the Sunday.

Saturday, 26th January was an 18-Hole Stableford, with a Stableford Medley on the Sunday. Also on the Sunday was the final of the AAA Cup, sponsored by AAA Septic Services. Read more about this in coming editions.

By Short Putt

On Saturday, 5th January, amidst strong winds and hot temperatures, the Men’s Monthly Medal was contested by 64 players, sponsored by long-term stalwart Linden Byrne.

The A-Grade winner was Kim Herbert, with 69 nett and just ahead of runner-up, Peter Dawson with his 70 nett. They pushed each other all the way.

The B-Grade went to Dale Rogers (Peak Hill) with an excellent nett 69, while Phil Duke was runner-up with a consistently constructed 70 nett. However, because Dale is a visitor and thus ineligible, the medal is awarded to Phil Dukes.

The C-Grade saw Frank Donohoe take the honours with his 74 nett. Runner-up was Les Little finishing with 75 nett.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back: 69 – D Rogers, K Herbert; 70 – P Duke, P Dawson; 71 – N McMillan, B Everest, M Cahill; 72 – J Zannes, M Haley and 73 – C Dwyer, P Kay, P Maher; D Churchill, F Donohoe, Michael Wood, P Grayson, R Nixon.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – P Nixon, 18th – K Herbert. Visitors who joined included, from Parkes – M McGlashan, L Buesnell and from Peak Hill – A Brownlow, D Rogers.

The Sunday Stableford Medley saw a field of nine players get out and enjoy themselves.

Once again Peter Grayson was the winner, edging home with 34 points. Runner-up was Brendan Chambers from Parkes, with 33 points.

There was no ball sweep. The NTP’s were stolen by Parkes players, with the: 9th – B Chambers; 18th – J Van Opynen.

Prior to Christmas the final of the Wallace Cup Handicap Match Play was played. It was a solid performance by Neil McMillan to win, relegating Stephen Uphill into runner-up.

By Short Putt

The men’s comp was the December Monthly Medal, sponsored by Central West Diesel, with 64 players competing and many of them producing good scores.

In the A-Grade, Dan Bayley certainly had his A-grade game going, finishing with a 75 scratch, 70 nett. Dan won on count back from Richard Nixon who also finished on 70 nett. The B-Grade produced a masterful score by Max Haley who carded a nett 69.

Brodie Hodges was runner-up with 70. Denis Culley dominated the C-Grade and the day with a 67 nett. Ethan Gaffney was runner-up on 69, when an ‘8’ blemished his card.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, going to: 67 – D Culley; 69 – E Gaffney, M Haley; 70 – B Hodges, D Bayley, R Nixon; 71 – B Thomas, P Cowhan, B Squires, P Grayson; 72 – S French; 73 – C Alley, P Tisdell, R Borger, B Hazell, I Bown; 74 B Slack-Smith.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – C Alley; 18th – T Callaghan.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had a small following, where the winner was Peter Grayson, who managed to wrangle 35 points. There was no runner-up or ball sweep.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – P Grayson, signed off by Ethel Coombs, and Ethel got the NTP on the 18th, signed off by Peter.

By Short Putt

The competition on Saturday was the Deacon Dwyer 4BBB Stableford Medley, sponsored by Rod Besgrove, in which 63 players relished the conditions.

The winners for the day were Rod Besgrove and Barb Drabsch with a score of 47 points. Runners up were Frank Hanns and Kim Herbert with 46 points.

The ball sweep went to 742 nett on count back, going to: 47 – B Drabsch/R Besgrove; 46 – F Hanns/K Herbert; 44 – R Nixon/N Duncan, M Haley/J Haley; 43 – R Webb/P Tisdell, A Dukes/P Maher, J Betland/P Dawson and 42 – M Cahill/M Spice.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – A Dodgson (Condo); 18th – R Smith.

On Sunday, the club ran this year’s Scramble event, which is now sponsored by Volkswagen and co-sponsored by Callaway, who provided prizes for the winners and balls for each player. This is a 4-person Ambrose, nett competition.

An early group, comprising A Dukes, P Maher, M Cahill and M Spice, set the clubhouse lead with a Nett 553/4, off a scratch score of 62. They anxiously awaited the day, checking often to see the scores returned.

But in the end it was in vain as they were relegated to runners-up. The winning group included Ian Bown, Paul Kay, Sally Crosby and Steve Grallelis, and these players combined well all day.

For example, Stevie G teed up on the 18th, somewhat under pressure, and promptly put his shot only four feet beside the pin. Playing partner Sally Crosby slotted the putt for a ‘2’.

The prize winners were:

• Best nett – S Grallelis, P Kay, S Crosby, I Bown on 55.5

• Runner-up – A Dukes, M Cahill, P Maher, M Spice on 553/4

• Third place – A Cogswell, B Thomas, M Watts, P Nixon on 583/4

• Best scratch – A Dukes, M Cahill, P Maher, M Spice on 62

• NTP’s – 9th: A Dukes; 18th: S Grallelis.

By Short Putt

In an engaging performance, Peter Nixon scored 69 nett to take out the ‘Medal of Medallist’ honours for 2018. Pete turned square with the card and finished square for an all par performance.

The Saturday Men’s competition was an Individual Stroke, sponsored by Loomzy’s Fish n Fix. The field of 59 players enjoyed sunny conditions across a green course.

Cam McMillan, a young player also in form, took out the A-Division with a very good round of 74, nett 67. He got there on count back from Stuart French and powered his way out of trouble to score his 67.

In the B-Division, it was Ethan Gaffney who finished with 69 to take the honours. In a classic display of playing to his handicap, Maurie Westwood took runner-up with a fine 70 nett.

The ball sweep went to 72 nett on count back, going to: 67 – C McMillan, S French; 69 – E Gaffney, P Nixon, B Hodges; 70 – T Callaghan, P Grayson, R Nixon, M Westwood; 71 – P Maher, B Chandler, W Judge; 72 – K Sanderson, N McMillan, R Morris.

Alongside the comp NTP’s there were additional sponsored NTP’s. The comp NTP’s went to: 1st – P Pymont; 9th – P Nixon. The sponsored NTP’s went to: 3rd – B-Grade W Judge, and nil for both A-Grade and C-Grade; 18th – A-Grade P McDade, B-Grade G Webb, C-Grade B Chandler.

The Medal of Medallists was held in conjunction with the stroke event. Of the 32 eligible medallists, 22 were able to participate. They generally produced good scores with players across all grades contributing well and seven producing sub-par rounds.

Peter Nixon’s 69 nett pipped Richard Nixon, P Grayson and T Callaghan on 70, and too good for Warwick Judge and Bruce Chandler on 71.

There was no Sunday Stableford Medley, with instead the Forbes Rotary Charity Day being held.

This Sunday, Forbes will be holding its VW Scramble, previously known as the Holden Scramble. There is still plenty of opportunity to register, either online or at the Pro Shop.

By Short Putt

Once again the annual Forbes Classic, sponsored by Frank Spice Nissan, was a success with over 150 players competing on each day of the weekend. Players from 37 clubs participated, with some coming from Queensland and West Australia to enjoy the course.

The crowning glory was the win by local player Peter Nixon, the defending champion from 2017’s event. Peter finished the Individual A-Grade Stroke event, held on Sunday, with 71 scratch, skipping ahead of another local Steve Betland (72) and Graham Howland (73) from Dunheved GC in Sydney. Peter turned square with the card and finished his round with a ‘2’ on the last hole.

The B-Grade Scratch winner was Josh Coulthurst (Forbes) who blistered around in 81, off an 18 handicap. He was three shots ahead of Ken Sanderson and Scott Kirkman, both from Forbes. The C-Grade Scratch winner was Tony Stevens (89) from Palm Meadows, near Surfer’s Paradise in Queensland. Runner-up was our own Bruce Squires on 93.

Prizes were awarded to Handicap and Stableford winners and runners-up, as well as the popular NTP’s and Long drives. Peter McDade (Lismore) nearly had the perfect shot on the 9th when his ball finished only inches from the hole.

On Saturday the Classic comp was a 4BBB Stableford. The winners there were Peter Sinclair (Nelson Bays) and Keith McCulloch (Riverside Oaks) with 48 points. Runnersup, sadly on count back, were Phil Duke (Forbes) and Tim O’Malley (Tumut). The full prize list is available in the Pro Shop.

Generally though, Forbes players had success at the top of the grades while many of the visitors scored better than the locals through the body of the grades. All players enjoyed the course and the greens, with acknowledgement to Jack and Darren Clarke and the volunteers who got the course ready.

By Short Putt

Last weekend was the November Monthly Medal, sponsored by Jelbarts Tyrepower, contested by a field of 46 players.

The A-Grade players were really good, with Todd Callaghan declared the winner after his round of 66 nett. Runner-up was Digit McAuliffe with an impressive 69.

The B-Grade contest was close, with Doug Churchill producing a 69 nett to finish ahead of Paul Kay on 70 nett. The C-Graders also did well, where Frank Donohoe led the way with a 70 nett, ahead of Richard Smith on 72 nett.

The ball sweep went to 73 nett, going to: 66 – T Callaghan; 69 – D McAuliffe, D Churchill; 70 – P Kay, F Donohoe; 71 – N McMillan, A McDonald; 72 – W Judge, S Kirkman, R Smith; 73 – P Nixon, B Slack-Smith. The NTP’s went to: 9th – T Callaghan; 18th – S Sallaway.

On Sunday there was a charity day to aid the Currajong Disability Services. This had players from Parkes, Condobolin and Forbes, with many Forbes businesses donating prizes.

The field comprised 56 players making teams for the 3-person Ambrose. The nongolfer teams played 9-holes while the golfer teams played 18-holes.

Prizes were awarded for scratch and handicap scores for the 9-hole and 18-hole players, as well as for NTP’s. The major winners were:

• 9-Hole Scratch winner – M, J and S McGlashen 36 on c/b

• 9-Hole Nett winner – N Hamilton, N Hamilton, M Ruskiss 31.5 nett

• 18-hole Scratch winner – J Kemp, F Latu, M Wood with 65 on count back

• 18-hole Nett winner – J Cutler, G Hooper, T Callaghan 57 nett

By Short Putt