Saturday’s 18-Hole Stableford, sponsored by Forbes Bus Lines was played in good sunshine and yielded many good scores from the 67 players.

The A-Division winner was Michael Wood who scored 42 points, having completed the back-9 in 1-under. Only slightly behind was Laurie O’Connor, who similarly scored well on the back-9 to finish with 40 points.

The B-Division went to Richard Smith with 44 points. Close behind was Joshua Coulthurst with 43, which could have been better if he had scored a point on the dreaded 7th hole.

The ball sweep went to 36 on count back, going to: 44 – R Smith; 43 – J Coulthurst; 42 – M Wood; 40 – L O’Connor, N Duncan, B Thomas; 39 – P Dawson; 38 – S McAlister, S Bate, M Collits, P Pymont, J Maloy; 37 – T Griffiths, Martin Woods, C Alley, M Spice; 36 – P Barnes, S Kirkman, D Rhodes. The NTP’s went to: 1st – Mike Wood, 18th – Bob Borger.

The big event of the weekend was the second running of the FGC Par-3 Championships, sponsored by Brine Cure. A field of 41 players fought for prizes in Club and Social categories.

The Club Men winners were: A Grade winner – Phil Duke (41 c/b); runner-up – R Taylor (41). B Grade winner – L O’Connor (46); runner-up – B Carpenter (51). C Grade winner – D Williams (37); runner-up – B Slack- Smith (42).

The Club Ladies winners were: J Cripps (41 c/b); Runner-up – D Dingwall (41).

The Social winners were: first prize – Mark Webb (55), second prize – Scott Webb (67) and third prize – Veronica Rebellato (75).

The CWDGA Pennants played the 3rd round last weekend at Cowra. Our teams had mixed results, with the 1’s (3/2) and 4’s (4/1) winning while the 2’s (4/1) and 3’s (4/1) lost.

In a one-in-a-million event, one of Niel Duncan’s fairway shots was struck in mid-flight by another ball played by a person on the adjacent fairway. It took some time to find each ball, with more amazement as to where they had finished up.

On Sunday, 4th March we shall be hosting the CWDGA Pennants here. Come out and see some really good golfers do their thing. The course will be closed during this play, but open in the afternoon.

By Short Putt

Forbes golfers were keen to put some decent scores on the board, but the day was capped off by a hole-in-one by Bruce Chandler during Saturday’s event.

Saturday’s event was an 18-hole Stableford, sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical.

The course was enjoyed by a field of 61 players who generally scored well.

The A-division winner was Phil Maher, who once again was in form and scored 42 points. Close behind was Scott Kirkman with 41 points. They each had numerous pars and birdies.

The B-division had a large group of players on 41 points. In the end Bruce Chandler took the honour with 41 points on countback from Tom Edols (41), who took runner-up on count back from many others.

The ball sweep went to 37 on count back, going to: 42 – P Maher; 41 – B Chandler, T Edols, L O’Connor, S Kirkman, S Grallelis; 40 – Andy Cogswell, R Borger; 39 – B Shine, P Grayson; 38 – C Alley, B Doyle, R Smith, S McAlister, R Besgrove; 37 – A Rees.

The NTP’s went to: 1st – Marty Cahill, 18th – Bruce Chandler. Nobody could beat Bruce on the 18th, but there were a few contenders for the 9th.

Certainly, the story of the day was Bruce Chandler’s ‘ace’ on the 18th. He used a 5-iron, seemed to hit it okay and watched as it landed on the front of the green and rolled forward. He and his group thought it may have rolled off the back, but it was most definitely in the hole.

Sunday was Stableford Medley day, played by 9 players who all enjoyed their day. It was an all-male day with the ladies on other business. The winner was Charles Dwyer with 37 points, followed by Steve Betland on 36.

There was no ball sweep, but the NTP’s were well received. The 9th went to Andy Dukes and the 18th to Steve Betland.

There were no visitors.

This Sunday, we have a Par-3 comp where both club players and social players are invited. This is aimed at giving the club golfers a bit of a lift, and enticing the social players out for a bit of fun.

The CWDGA Pennants played the 2nd round last weekend at Bathurst. Our teams did not fare too well, with the 2’s (3/2) and 4’s (4/1) losing and the 3’s winning 3/2. The Div 1 team had a bye.

By Short Putt

Monthly Medal contested at the golf club last Saturday attracted a field of 80 players. Scores were okay but not outstanding.

On Sunday some golfers represented the club at the Pennants and had some good success.

In the Monthly Medal, the A-Grade winner was Digit McAuliffe with a nett 71, compiled with steady scoring. Runner-up was Dave Mylecharane with 72 nett. He had a near perfect back-9. Pro Simon kept them all honest with a 69 Scratch score.

The B-Grade went to Warwick Judge, who scored a 70 nett, and got there on countback from Ian Bown. Despite a ‘7’ on the 4th hole Warwick had two very good 9’s. Runner-up Ian Bown carried on some recent good form in his drives but could not convert to an outstanding score.

In the C-Grade it was John Gunn with a nett 69 who won ahead of Albie Callaghan on 70 nett. The NTP’s went to: 9th – D Mylecharane; 18th – R Webb. The 3rd Hole Pro Shop Trophy went to: A-grade D McAuliffe; B-grade J Haley; C-grade G Webb.

The ball sweep went to 73 nett on count back, being distributed to: 69 – J Gunn; 70 – W Judge, I Bown, A Callaghan; 71 – T Morgan, R Webb, S French, P Maher, D McAuliffe, R Smith; 72 – D Mylecharane, M Cartwright, G Webb, M Andrews, P Barnes, F Hanns, P Dawson, D Rhodes, R Besgrove; 73 – M Collits, S Uphill, G Collits.

On Sunday, the regular Stableford Medley was played, with a small field due to the Pennants commitments. The winner was Scott Kirkman with 35 points, on count back from Ray Taylor. There was no Ball sweep, but the NTP’s went to: 9th – Barb Drabsch; 18th – Mike Wood.

By Short Putt

The weekend’s golf featured the fourth running of the Australian 2-Person 2-Club Medley Championship, sponsored by Cahill’s Footwear. This is an 18-Hole Stroke event in which four clubs are shared between each pair, and makes for a challenging experience.

The winners were John Betland and Craig Barrett who combined their efforts to finish with a nett 62. Their 32/34-66 scratch was a combined effort. Runners-up were Brian Doyle and Greg Webb.

The ball sweep went to 681/2, going to: J Betland/C Barrett, B Doyle/G Webb, C Alley/B Slack-Smith, D McAuliffe/R Nixon, A Dukes/M Spice and Alf Davies/P Barnes.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ladies: Bess Shields, Men: Paul Pymont; 18th – Ladies: Brianna Duncan, Men: Greg Webb. Marty Cahill, sponsor for the event, presented the Trophy to John and Craig, along with their ‘Golden Boot’ individual personal award.

To start the weekend Friday, 26th January had a Stableford Medley. Players meshed their golf game in between Australia Day activities.

The winner was Digit McAuliffe, with 39 points. He got there on count back from Andrew Dukes, who but for an untimely bogey on the 17th would have been king.

The Ball sweep went to 37 points, distributed to those above plus Peter Nixon, Scott Kirkman, Greg Webb and Peter Sinclair (Nelson Bay). The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ron Morris; 18th – Peter Nixon.

Then on Sunday, 28th January the regular Stableford Medley was played. The winner was Ron Morris with 41 points. Runner-up was Brianna Duncan who scored 40 points.

The Ball Sweep went to 39 points, going to those above plus John Betland (39). The NTP’s went to: 9th – Peter Dawson; 18th –Ray Taylor.

It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Ron Hurst. Ron fell very ill last week, and was transported to Sydney where he passed away on Monday. Margaret was by his side.

By Short Putt

On Saturday the Mens comp was an 18- Hole Stableford, with 65 players in the field. Once again the scoring matched the weather.

The A-Division winner was Ted Morganwho, despite a minor blemish on the 14th hole, compiled 41 points. Runner-up on count back was Barry Parker. A few 7’s on his card hurt him.

Also on 41 points, but sadly without any honours, was our pro Simon Houston. This was, I think, his first competitive 18-hole game at Forbes. He relished being out there with the club members so much that he shot a 5-under ‘67’ to earn him the 41 points.

The B-Division saw Garry Collits with a score of 43 points relegated to runnerup by newcomer Joshua Coulthurst, who burst in with a score of 51 points. It was a fantastic round by each of them, with Josh showing real skill.

The ball sweep went to 36 points on count back, going to: 51 – J Coulthurst; 43 – G Collits; 42 – G Webb; 41 – T Morgan, B Parker; 40 – Alf Davies, T Howe; 39 – Mike Wood, D McAuliffe; 38 – J Morgan, L Grierson, P Nixon; 37 – B Squires, S McAlister and 36 – B Borger.

The NTP’s went to: 1st – Alf Davies, 18th – Simon Flynn.

The Sunday Stableford Medley comp had a small number in the field primarily due to the forecast conditions. Eileen Hush did very well to score 36 points and take the honours. She defied all common standards to do better on the back-9 rather than thefront-9, which is the reverse of everybody else. She finished ahead of Ray Taylor on 35 points.

There was no ball sweep. And there were no NTP’s as nobody hit the greens.

By Short Putt

In keeping with the Elvis flavour, there were surprises in the weather and the golf scores, making for a good weekend.

Saturday’s event was an 18-Stroke sponsored by Rob Allen Livestock Transport, contested by 80 was played in two Divisions.

The A-Division winner was Phil Maher with 67 nett. He enjoyed pleasant conditions and maintained his form, finishing with a birdie. Runner-up was Lee Grierson, who had played early in changeable conditions.

He was 1-under par after the front-9, then parred the back-9 to present a very classy score of 71 nett.

The B-Division had a real surprise, being a nett 63 scored by Garry Pymont, showing his best form for many weeks. Runner-up was Craig Barrett who was noted to have putted brilliantly, but alas his 65 nett was not quite enough.

The ball sweep went to 73 on count back, going to: 63 – G Pymont; 65 – C Barrett; 67 – P Maher; 68 – Mitch Andrews, L Grierson, S Sallaway, S Kirkman; 69 – N Mc- Millan, T Griffiths, G Webb, P Tisdell; 70 – L O’Connor, W Judge; 71 – T Howe, B Squires; 72 – R Morris, D Bayley, M Cahill; A Alley, S Uphill and A Dukes.

The NTP’s went to: 1st – Craig Barrett, 18th – Dave Mylecharane. The Sunday Stableford Medley comp, was played by 15 players in very comfortable conditions.

Bruce Carpenter used his knowledge of the course well to score 38 points, and takethe win ahead of Ray Taylor on 37 points.

The ball sweep went to 35 points, being collected by the two gents above, and Bess Shield and Charles Dwyer, both on 35. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Steve Betland; 18th – Bruce Carpenter.

By Short Putt

The competition on Saturday was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Central West Diesel. Players were keen to get back onto the course after missing a weekend due to wet conditions, but they found the conditions hot and difficult.

The A-Grade was won by Richard Nixon with a nett 68. His front-9 included only one ‘5’ and that on the 2nd. Runner-up was Barry Shine with a nett 70.

The B-Grade winner was Graham Newport with a nett 68. Warwick Judge was runner-up with a nett 69. The competitive C-Graders were four players finishing on 73 nett. The winner on count back was Bruce Chandler ahead of Mark Watts, both on 73 nett.

The ball sweep went to 73 nett on count back, going to: 68 – G Newport, R Nixon; 69 – W Judge; 70 – B Shine; 71 – P Maher, J Earl; 72 – D Bayley, T Griffiths; 73 – B Chandler, M Watts, B Carpenter, P Grayson, B Parker, F Hanns, D Rhodes, S Kirkman, T Edols. The NTP’s went to: 9th – R Webb; 18th – A Tucker.

The course played really well despite the recent wet conditions. The only additional obstacles were a bit of water at the back  of the 3rd and a wider than normal carry across the 4th, but scoring was still difficult.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Peter Barnes, who enjoyed the heat and scorched around to score 44 points. He was ahead of Bob Borger on 41, who earned runner-up on count back from James Earl.

The ball sweep went to 38, with James Earl (41) and Ash Tucker (38) getting balls. Ash almost made headlines with his NTP on the 9th. Dave Rhodes got the NTP on the 18th, but missed his ‘2’.

The new programme for 2018-19 Men’s, Ladies and Vets comps are being worked on with the books available in January 2018.

Do not forget to zip into the Pro Shop for some last minute Christmas gift ideas.

Saturday, 16th December is the 18-hole Stableford Ham Day, sponsored by Kenny’s Baa-Moo-Oink Butchery. Sunday will be a Stableford Medley.

Saturday, 23rd December is an 18-hole Stableford, sponsored by Shirley Redfern.

Sunday, 24th December is a StablefordMedley.

Over the Xmas/New Year break we have: Tuesday, 26th December a Stableford Medley; Saturday, 30th December a Canadian Foursomes sponsored by Post Office Hotel and on Sunday, 31st December a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Last weekend was the annual Forbes Nissan Classic. This was contested by nearly 180 players with many being visitors from Sydney, West Australia and places in between.

The Scratch winner of the Classic, a stroke event, was local player Peter Nixon. His 71 scratch was accomplished with very little drama. He was well ahead of many of the A-grade, when numerous of them had problems with the greens and the trees.

Another local to taste success was Frank Hanns, who won the C-grade Handicap with a nett 67. He had one of those days when everything meshed well and it was all too easy.

The biggest contingent was a group of 10 players from Cabramatta, closely followed by a group of 9 players from Nelson Bay GC. There were even players from West Australia, who joined the event.

The weekend was an undoubted success, made even more so by the strong support of the sponsors. Once again Frank Spice Nissan was the major sponsor, but there were many others ensuring a lengthy prize list.

On Saturday a 4BBB Stableford event was played. The winners were once again locals, Andrew Cogswell and Peter Nixon with a score of 45 points. They were one shot ahead of a group of six pairings on 44 points. The runners-up were determined by count back, going to Steve Betland and Charlie Dwyer.

By Short Putt

On Saturday the competition was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Jelbart’s Tyrepower. A field of 62 players enjoyed the sun and contributed some good scores.

The A-Grade winner was Peter Dawson with another sub-par round, this time a 71 scratch, 67 nett score. Runner-up was Martin Woods with 70 nett.

The B-Grade saw Tony Cogswell scoring a nett 69 finish, ahead of his son Andy who managed a nett 71.

The C-Grade winner was Clayton Alley a nett 70, which included an ‘11’ on the 2nd. Runner-up was Bruce Squires on nett 71.

The ball sweep went to 73 nett on count back, going to: 67 – P Dawson; 69 – T Cogswell; 70 – M Woods, C Alley; 71 – B Squires, A Cogswell, A Dukes, P Kay, P Barnes, D Rhodes; 72 – T Callaghan, T Morgan, C Barrett, L O’Connor, S Grallelis; 73 – F Hannes. The NTP’s went to: 9th – T Griffiths; 18th – Alf Davies.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was supported by a good group. Four players finished on 37 points. Ethel Combs was announced the winner, ahead of Ray Taylor. The ball sweep went to 37, being awarded to Stu French and Bruce Carpenter.

By Short Putt