Richard Nixon won the A-division of the Stroke Event last Saturday with net 69. Runner-up was Jeff Haley with 71 nett, finishing just ahead of Scott Kirkman on count back. The B-division was hotly contested. Stevie G won with nett 64. Al Rees also with 64 lost out on count back. Stevie was on fire as he sunk a huge 70 foot putt on the 12th for a birdie.

The ball sweep went to 73 nett on count back, being given to those above plus: 65 – C Barrett; 70 – T Edols; 71 – S Kirkman; 72 – P Kay, A Grierson, P Barnes, M Cartwright; 73 – F Donohue, G Drane. The NTP’s went to: 9th – T Callaghan; 18th – D Rhodes.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Scott Kirman with 42 points. Runner-up was Dave Mylecharane with 38 points. The ball sweep went to 37 points, with T Sharp snaring one. The NTP’s were – 9th B Carpenter; 18th E Hush. No 2’s were scored.

Our Lachlan Valley Districts team attended the Country Championships at Goulburn last weekend. The 92 competitors, playing for individual and team honours, found the course and conditions very tough. The individual winner was Tony Brunero with 137, while the team event was won by a composite group on a combined 572, well
ahead of the Lachlan Valley Districts 613. John Betland was our best scratch score with 145, finishing in 15th spot. Steve Betland finished further down the list at 56th, and Peter Dawson, Andrew Dukes, Lee Grierson, Mark Collits and Dan Bayley finished further back.

By Short Putt

The Men’s Monthly Medal played last Saturday was a true test of controlled ball flight in blustery wind conditions.
Peter Dawson won the A-grade on count back with nett 73. Runner-up was Stephen Uphill with 73 nett. The B-grade went to Ian Bown who returned a nett 72, and carried his partner to a keno win. Runner-up was Michael Browne with 73 nett.

The C-grade winner was Frank Hanns who had 70 nett – the best round of the day. Stuart French had nett 73 to finish runnerup. The ball sweep went to 77 nett on count back given to those above plus: 74 – D Bayley, D Earl; 75 – P Maher, S Kirkman; 76 – F Donohue, C McMillan, B Chandler; 77 – T Sharpe, M Woods (Orange) and A Borger.
The NTP’s went to: 9th – S Betland; 18th – M Woods.

The winner of Sunday’s Stableford Medley was Andy Dukes scoring 33 points. Unfortunately there was not enough of a field for any other balls. However, there were NTP’s – 9th A Dukes; 18th B Carpenter.

The Nissan Classic weekend, with a 4BBB will be on 12th November and an 18- hole stroke on the 13th. This event is so popular we need more carts. If you are not using your cart, or willing to share a seat, please let Daniel know.
The Forbz Skinz begins today, and on Sunday it is the Condobolin Open. We wish our Lachlan Valley Districts team
well at the Country Championships at Goulburn this weekend.

The Club Championships has been moved to 19th and 20th and 26th and 27th November.
By Short Putt

Last Saturday’s Individual Stableford attracted a field of 45 players who welcomed the opportunity to play on the surprisingly good greens and fairways after the floods. The winner was Andrew McDonald who produced a near flawless display to produce 42 points for the day. Runner-up was Matt Lawryk from Parkes with 39.

The ball sweep went to 34 points on count back, being distributed to those above plus: 38 – P Maher; 37 – P Duke, I Bown, R Morris; 36 – G Drane, A Grierson, C Barrett; 34 – S Sallaway, N Duncan. The NTP’s went to: 18th first – B Shine, 18th second – R Nixon. There were no 2’s scored.

There was one bona fide eagle scored on the 11th by Phil Maher. Phil’s drive drifted into the trees on the right, finishing near a trunk. Using his 2-iron, Phil punched a shot, which scorched out of the foliage, ran along the fairway, rose up the green, and dropped into the hole.

Once again the regular Sunday Stableford Medley crowd were out. The blustery conditions made it difficult to score well, but some players managed the wind well. The winner was Judy Hodge, with 36 points. The NTP’s went to: 18th first – J Hodge, 18th second – nobody. The FGA AGM will be held on Wednesday, 26th October at 6:30 pm. The first ‘Forbz Skinz’ competition starts on 28th October.

The Forbes Golf Classic is set for the weekend of 12th and 13th November.

By Short Putt

Saturday’s scheduled event, the Daine Doolin Memorial, was postponed yet again. However, Golf Pro Daniel organised the Inaugural Par-3 Aqua Golf Medley competition – a 6-hole, Par-54 layout utilising unorthodox tee positions to selected holes. Fifteen golfers rose to the challenge, proclaiming the event a most enjoyable and
successful venture. The Scratch winner was Peter Dawson with 56. The Handicap winner was Jill Cripps, with nett 45. The Handicap runner-up was Bob Borger with 46, getting there on count back.

The ball sweep went to 47 nett, being picked up by: 46 – B Drabsch and 47 – P Barnes. The NTP’s went to 9th- P Dawson and 18th – M Collits. There were eleven 2’s scored. Ecky Dawson scored three 2’s, each on different holes, and Doug Churchill scored two 2’s, also on separate holes.

Forbes Gold Club is taking part in Australia Golf Month in October when everyone can give golf a go. The 2016-17 Summer Sixes competition will begin competitive play in the week of 10th October. The GolfNSW Open Regional Qualifier, played over 36-holes, is set for 8th and 9th October. Tomorrow we will attempt to run the Daine
Doolin Memorial 4-BBB Stableford alongside the Cahill sponsored 4-BBB Stableford competition. Sunday 18th is the Stableford Medley, plus the Parkes Open. Saturday, 24th September is a 4-Ball Ambrose sponsored by Alby Callaghan, and Sunday 25th the Stableford Medley.
By Short Putt

Alf Davies and Ron Morris won the A and B divisions respectively of last Saturday’s Individual Stroke event, sponsored by Complete Plumbing. Alf won with a very well-crafted 70 nett. His driving was nearly immaculate every time. Brian Doyle was unlucky to be runner-up, being shifted into second spot by
virtue of a count back.

In the B division, it was also a close event with Ron taking the honours with a nett 71, followed by Geoff Drane with nett 72. Ron was his usual tidy scorer, while Geoff Drane played like a resurgent demon possessed with magical skill. The scores were higher than expected given the good conditions with a field of 45 players enjoying their wander around the course.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, being given to those above plus: 71 – P Nixon; 72 – R Nixon; 73 – T Cogswell, P Pymont, B Parker; 74 – L O’Connor and B Squires. The NTP’s went to: 9th – A Davies; 18th – D Culley. Neither got their ‘2’, but Alf scored a lovely ‘2’ on the 3rd, by chipping in. Overall there were only four 2’s. Sunday’s Stableford Medley, played in balmy conditions with dollops of warming sunshine, was won by Libby Godden with 38 points from a field of 12 players.

Jill Cripps finished as runner-up with 37 points, on count back from three other players. The NTP’s went to: 9th B Drabsch and 18th L Godden. Neither managed a ‘2’, and nor did anybody else. The ball sweep went to 37, and was picked up by Ray Taylor, Scott Kirkman and Craig Barrett, who all played in the same group.

With some good weather of recent weeks, there were finally enough cards returned to sort out the Winter Individual Comp. These results cover the period from 10th July to 28th August, just showing how difficult it has been. The eventual winner was Bede Tooth with 34 nett, and this achieved on a day that did not assist him with sunshine or balmy conditions. Balls go to Stuart French (35), Ethel Coombs (36) and Fran Smith (37). Daniel will be running a Junior Golf Camp on 28th and 29th September in the school holidays. Contact him on 6851 1554 for details.

By Short Putt

Eleanor Murray from Dubbo won the Forbes Junior Open on Sunday with net 65. She is too young to win a car as her prize! A total of 25 players from Cabramatta, Dubbo, Bathurst, Bankstown, Bourke, Parkes and Forbes took part and handicaps ranged from 3 to 30+, with six of the players on single figures.

The U-14 Scratch winner was Harrison Glenday (Cabramatta) with 83, while the U-14 Handicap winner was Cam McMillan (Forbes) with 77. The U-15 Scratch winner was Jackson Fearns (Bankstown) with 80, and the U-15 Handicap winner was Adam Coull (Bankstown) with 71.

The team event was won by Country with E Murray from Dubbo, J Cunningham from Bourke, J Kuntze from Forbes, and M Bourne from Dubbo and L Mears with 220 points. A 9-hole shoot-out was played on Saturday afternoon. The Scratch winner was Adam Coull (36) and the Nett winner was Mitchell Bourne (33). Jackson Fearns (Banktown) and Will Gordon (Forbes) were the only players to score a ‘2’, both on the 9th.

By Short Putt

Andy Dukes’ 69 nett made him the winner of the Monthly Medal last Saturday. Runner-up was Andrew Grierson with a nett 72 in a field of 64 players. The B-grade winner was Dave Rhodes and runnerup Geoff Coles. The C-grade winner was Stuart French and runner-up was Bruce Squires.

Saturday’s ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, being given to those above plus: 72 – B Borger, B Shine, W Gordon; 73 – P Dawson, D Churchill; 74 – P Barnes, D Culley, B Everest, M Spice and T Morgan. The NTP’s went to: 9th – B Shine; 18th – B Borger. Barry got his ‘2’ but Bob missed his by a long shot. There were eight 2’s scored overall. Sunday’s Stableford Medley unfortunately had a small field. The winner was Scott Kirkman finishing with 36 points. The only NTP was on the 9th, scored by M Reid.

Some Wallace Cup match results are: L Grierson d A Dukes 4/3; D Mylecharane d P Maher 1-up and I Bown d P Dawson. The NSW Men’s 4-Ball District Final was played at Grenfell on Sunday. Three pairings attended from Forbes, joining teams from Bogan Gate, Parkes, Condobolin and Grenfell. The event was won by Grenfell pairing Taylor/McMahon with +6. Forbes teams were Morgan/McDonald (+2), Smith/Haans (-3) and Newport/Drane (-3).

The Inaugural Sand/Grass Green Championship is set for 20th and 21st August. There is still room for more entries.

By Short Putt

Andy Dukes and Andy Cogswell won the Annual American Foursomes men’s competition last Saturday with 66 5/8 nett. A total of 52 players contested the competition, sponsored by Milton Cartwright. Milton brings the event from historical beginnings in Sydney, and relishes the challenge it gives the players.

It is a pairs event where the format includes playing 2nd shots from each other’s tee shots, before alternating with the “best ball”. Dukes and Cogswell played at the end of the field, dashing the hopes of P Dawson/S Sallaway, who sat in the clubhouse as early leaders. They finished runners-up with a nett 67 ½ from their 69 scratch result – a 34/35 split showing consistency in their play.

Saturday’s ball sweep went to 72 ½ , being picked up by those above plus: 681/8 – N Duncan/A Grierson, 69 ½ – D Bayley/ K Herbert, 71 3/8 – D Rhodes/ N McMillan, 72 3/8 – D Culley/ B Parker and 72 ½ – R Borger/P Nixon.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – L Grierson and 18th – K Herbert. Kim got his 2 but Lee missed out. There were four 2’s scored overall.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Dave Rhodes competing with 15 other players. He managed to concentrate all the way for his 38 points. Runner-up, on count back, was Scott Kirkman with 34 points. For the NTP’s, nobody found the green at the 9th (guys, it is just past the bunker) but Richard
Smith hit the bull’s-eye on the 18th. He missed his 2 though.

The ball sweep went to 33, and apart from those above was delivered to: 34 – L Godden; 33 – R Smith, B Carpenter. Do not forget to put your name on the list to participate in the Inaugural Sand/Grass Green Championship, to be held on 20th and 21st August. Rounds will be played at Forbes and Grenfell. Join players from as far afield as Walcha who have already registered.

All players are reminded to repair your pitch marks on the greens. The greens may look firm, but severe dents are being left unrepaired. Make the effort to walk to the front of the green even if the pin is at the back. Tomorrow is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Bernardi’s Super IGA. Sunday is the 18-hole Stableford Medley, the Men’s 4BBB DGA Final at Grenfell (good luck Messrs Newport and Drane ), and the Albert GC Open.

By Short Putt

Garry Pymont and Geoff Coles were the handicap champions of the 4BBB Stroke Championships last Saturday. The event was carried over from the previous weekend due to bad weather. It was still a battle for the 24 competing pairings as the conditions were described as tougher than walking the Kokoda trail.

Pymont and Coles won with 61 nett, who combined well hole by hole. Runners-up were Peter Barnes and Doug Churchill with 67 nett, on count back from A McDonald/Tony Cogswell. The Stroke winners were S Sallaway/P Dawson with 71, from D Bayley/A Dukes on 73. Saturday’s ball sweep went to 68 nett, on count back, being picked up by 61 – G Pymont/G Coles; 67 – D Churchill/P Barnes, A McDonald/T Cogswell, D Bayley/A Dukes, N and C McMillan; 68 – F Donohue/P Pymont, P Cowhan/P Kay and R Nixon/M Langfield.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – T West; 18th – S Sallaway. There were eight 2’s. The father/ son pairing of Neil and Cameron McMillan scored 2’s on the 1st and 3rd holes.

Sunday’s play was meant to be the Stableford Medley, but tough ground conditions and threatening skies significantly reduced the field. In some results: P Nixon d D Clarke 5/3, D Bayley d F Collie 2/1, A Dukes d T Sharpe 6/5, L O’Connor d M Watts 4/3 and Andy Cogswell d J Zannes on 22nd. Tomorrow is the American Foursomes, and Sunday the Daine Doolin Memorial.

By Short Putt

The Men’s Foursomes Championships was held over 36 holes, played on Saturday and Sunday. The sun was pleasant but with the ground still very soft it played very long. The Overall 36 hole Scratch winners were the pairing of Mark Collits and Steve Betland, who finished with 145. Runnersup were Dan Bayley and Peter Dawson on 157.

The Overall Handicap winners were also Collits and Betland with a nett of 141. Runners-up were Robert and Adam Borger with 150 nett. Collits and Betland also won both the Saturday and Sunday Scratch with scores of 75 and 70. The conditions were tough on Saturday with no scores under par. The Sunday scores showed a marked improvement with best improvers Rob and Adam Borger, while Morgan and French both improved by 14 shots.

The winner of the Medley Stableford on Sunday was Ray Taylor with 34 points, followed by Judy Hodge with 33 points on count back. Bruce got the ball sweep with 33 points. The NTP’s went to 9th – E Coombs and 18th – P Rowe. The Wallace Cup timeframes have been adjusted with the first round to be completed by 26th July and the second round by 9th Aug.

Saturday 23rd July has been re-scheduled as the 18 Hole 4BBB Stroke Championship. Sponsor John Davis Mazda is looking for a vroom-vroom performance. Sunday is the 18 Hole Stableford Medley. With the sun out it is a good opportunity to utilise the “Winter Specials” on offer. Details at the Pro Shop on 6851 1554.

Let us hope the rain has not affected our chances too much.
By Short Putt