At one point it seemed like there wouldn’t be any golf for weeks on end but after a great deal of work, the course staff were able to prepare nine holes to allow for the commencement of competitive golf on Saturday to the delight of players and partners everywhere!

Saturday’s Men’s comp was changed to a stroke event, sponsored by the FGA, where the players traversed around the modified back-9 twice. The 16 competitors braved the swarms of mosquitoes to get some exercise.

The winner was Wayne O’Neill who managed a 71 nett. He scored the same on seven holes in his two circuits but managed to improve by two shots on the 14th to snare the win. Runner-up was Alf Davies with a 72 nett, compiled with resounding consistency despite the heavy track and humidity.

The ball sweep went to: 74 – C Dwyer; 75 – I Vale, Troy Howe; 76 – P Barnes on count back. The NTP’s went to 18th first time – C Dwyer, 18th second time – nil.

Sunday had a small field in the Stroke Medley. Phil Maher was successful with 72 nett, followed by Brian Everest on 76 nett. There was no ball sweep and no NTP’s.

The re-programmed 3-Person Ambrose set for Sunday December 12th has been postponed into 2022, when the course will be able to support a full 18-hole event.

Do not forget that the Summer Sixes comp is up and running again, and make sure you get your Christmas present ideas sorted in the Pro Shop.

By Short Putt

The Saturday Men’s golf competition was a Stableford event, sponsored by Shirley Redfern. It was an early start for the 37 players who were keen to finish and then watch the Country Championships players. The Div-1 winner was Jack Dobell on count back from Ken Sanderson, with both finishing on 34 points. Jack managed a 4-pointer in the count back holes that got him through.

The Div-2 had the better scores overall. Alec Edwards (Parkes) had a clear lead with his 38 points, finishing ahead of Will Moran (Wentworth) on 36 points. The field then clustered behind them.

The ball sweep went to 32 points, on count back – check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Bede Tooth, 18th – Jonathan Cutler. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Jack Dobell, joining other recent winners with a fine shot finishing 1.2 metres from the pin.

There were no players in the Sunday Stableford Medley due to the Country Champs and unpredictable weather.

This weekend has the annual Forbes Nissan Classic with a full field on both days.

For the 96 players that turned out for the NSW Country Championships, it was ACT’s Harry Bolton who got the job done, holding his nerve down the stretch to fend off a determined Jones Comerford from Dubbo.

While it wasn’t Nicklaus and Watson duelling in the sun at Turnberry in 1977 after overnight showers, it was close to the next best thing. The winning team on the day was ACT-Monaro (8-under) ahead of New-castle (4-under). Lachlan Valley finished in a credible 6th spot.

Bolton had to do it the hard way after starting behind first-round leader Dominic Falk, and never found his groove until the 5th where his birdie three suddenly gave him the spark he had been missing. Comerford meanwhile birdied five of the first nine holes in a hot start and was the man to chase as the players headed to the back nine.

As Bolton held firm, Charlestown’s Jye Pickin also made his move up the leader-board culminating in a riveting shot for shot war of attrition over the closing holes with Bolton and Comerford.

Birdies on 12, 13 and 16 helped but a bogey on his last hole of the day – the 17th saw him slip back to -8 for the tournament.

In the end though, it was Bolton’s consistency and ability to make the right play at the right time that got him and the ACT team home. Birdies on 15 and 16 got Bolton to -9, and a brave up-and-down on the last was enough for the spoils.

The win books him into the Golf Challenge NSW Open at Concord Golf Club in March.

Saturday’s Men’s comp was the November Monthly Medal brought forward a weekend and sponsored by Jelbarts Tyrepower. A field of 83 players enjoyed the weather and the scoring.

The A-Grade was won by Nick Greenhalgh (69 nett), and just ahead of Shane Sallaway on 70 nett. They both had the same score for each of their front and back 9’s.

The B-Grade went to Ken Sanderson with 69 nett, on count back from runner-up John Ridley. They also had rounds similar to each other.

The C-Grade once again returned the best scores, with the winner being David Bernardi (67), from runner-up Jacob Reid (68). David has certainly benefitted from some of Head Pro Adam’s coaching.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, so please check in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to – 9th – G Hooper, 18th – S Betland. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Shirley Davies with a shot of 12 cms, just shy of a hole-in-one. There were five visitors.

The Sunday event had a good number of players, producing mediocre scores. The winner was Jack Downes (Moree) with 35 points, while the runner-up was Jacob Bernardi with 34 points.

The ball sweep went to – 33: Jill Cripps, with no NTP’s recorded.

This Saturday will commence with a shotgun start at 8 am for an Individual Stableford event, sponsored by Shirley Redfern. Then the course will be closed at midday to allow the NSW Country Championships to be held. On Sunday the course opens at 1 pm, for a Stableford Medley if players are keen.

By Short Putt

The Saturday Men’s golf competition was a Stableford event, sponsored by Peter Dawson. 87 players turned out in idyllic conditions.

Division 1 winner was Paul Pymont on a count back from Jono Morell, with both finishing on 38 points while in Division 2 a count back was needed to separate Max Haley from Wayne O’Neill after both had scored 39 points. Max’s 21 points on the back-9 however proved the difference.

The ball sweep went to 34 points, on count back – check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one. The NTP’s were – 9th Paul Kay, 18th George Falvey and the 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Peter Dawson.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had a solid field, all who were keen to enjoy the sun once again.The winner was Matt Roylance with 42 points from Ben Robinson on 36 points. The ball sweep went to 35 points with Nick Greenhalgh snapping that up.

On Saturday 30 October, the Men’s event is the November Monthly Medal, sponsored by Jelbarts Tyrepower. Sunday has a Stableford Medley.

Do not forget the NSW Country Championships on November 6 and 7, followed by the Forbes Nissan Classic weekend.

By Short Putt

John Betland (283) won the A-Grade Forbes Club Championship in a head-to-head battle against brother Steven (287). On Sunday, John produced a fine 69 scratch claim the trophy from Steve who shot 73.

Champions (Scratch) in other Grades were: A-Reserve Grade A Quirk (317) from K Herbert (318); B-Grade B Robinson (331) from G Hooper (339); C-Grade J Hemming (366) from S Thomas (374).

Presentation night is scheduled for November 20th.

In conjunction with the Championships, a daily comp, sponsored by Pool Magic, was played.

On Saturday, with 97 players in the field:
• Div 1 – Winner: A Quirk 67 nett; Runner-up S Sallaway 70 nett.
• Div 2 – Winner: J Shaw 70 nett on c/b; Runner-up S Thomas 70 nett.
• Div 3 – Winner: J Reid 69 nett; D Bernardi 71 nett.

On Sunday, with 59 players in the field:
• Div 1 – Winner: KD Mylecharane 69 nett; Runner-up J Betland 71 nett on c/b.
• Div 2 – Winner: M Roylance 69 nett; Runner-up B Parker 70 nett.
• Div 3 – Winner: J Hemming 63 nett; Run-ner-up D Rhodes 70 nett.

On Saturday October 23, an 18-hole Par, sponsored by P Dawson will be played.

By Short Putt

Saturday’s Monthly Medal comp, sponsored by Forbes Concrete, was played by a vibrant 93 players despite the wet ground conditions and occasional showers.

A-Grade was won by Caleb Hanrahan (71 nett) on a count back from runner-up Terry Griffiths. There was only one stroke the difference on the back-9.

B-Grade went to Fons Melisi with 71 nett, in a consistent performance. Runner-up was Jake Shaw with his 72 nett, on a count back from two others.

The C-Grade was also tight with a count back needed to decide the winner Allan Rees, from runner-up Trevor Toole, who both finished on 72 nett.

The ball sweep went to 76 nett on a count back, so please check in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Caleb Hanrahan, 18th – Will Lovatt.

The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Bruce Chandler with a shot of 1.88 metre proximity, well inside the previous names on the card. There were no visitors.

Being a long weekend there were Stable-ford Medleys on both Sunday and Monday.

In the Sunday event the winner was Jess Hamilton with 40 points, a new player who shows great promise for a much lower handicap. Runner-up on count back was Henry Nash with 39 points, getting the nod from Jarrod Hall (Trundle).

The ball sweep went to – 39: J Hall (Trundle); 38: J Hemming; 37: J Coulthurst. There were no NTP’s recorded.

On Monday, in more pleasant ground conditions, the winner was Todd Callaghan who amassed 37 points. Runner-up was Stephen Uphill with 33 points, and a count back from Peter Dawson.

There was no ball sweep, but the NTP’s went to – 9th: M Spice; 18th: Brett Thomas.

On Saturday October 9, the Club Championships commence. Play will be over four rounds on 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th October.

By Short Putt

Saturday’s Men’s golf comp was an Individual Stroke event played in three grades and sponsored by Niel’s Complete Carpet Cleaning. We had a field of 97 players. Phil Wells was the best on the day with a siz-zling 65 nett.

A-Grade only had three players under par, with Peter Cowhan the best of those, scoring a 70 nett to take the honours. Runner-up, on count back was Barry Shine with a nett 71 and carrying good form from his Vets appearances.

B-Grade had the best scores of the day with Wells was way out in front with his 65 nett, followed by Fonz Melisi on 67 nett and also showing consistent form.

C-Grade went to Steve Grallelis who won with 73 nett, pipping Allan Rees on 74 nett, who got Jake Hemming on count back.

The ball sweep went to 75 nett on count back, so please check in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Peter Cowhan, 18th – Jacob Bernardi. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Alec Edwards (Parkes).

Sunday’s Stableford Medley had a good field, all enjoying the sunny conditions.

The winner was Josh Coulthurst with 37 points, on count back from Greg Webb. There was no ball sweep. The 9th NTP went to Andy Dukes, while the 18th NTP went to Shane Sallaway.

On Saturday the NRL Grand Final is to be played. Players are encouraged to show support for the teams by wearing team colours, and also providing a gold coin donation to go to a local charity.

On Saturday October 2, there is the Monthly Medal Individual Stroke event, sponsored by Forbes Concrete. On Sunday and Monday there will be Stableford Medley competitions for golfers.

By Short Putt

 

Last Saturday 90 players participated in the Men’s Individual Stableford comp, sponsored by Forbes Tuesday Golfers. The players shrugged off a midday shower to utilise the best conditions of the course and post some high scores.

Once again the Div-1 scores were quite close, necessitating a count back. Barry Shine, who got better as the day progressed, scored 38 points and was anointed winner on count back from Andy Cogswell, who was glad to be out playing.

The Div-2 had the better scores with Stuart Thomas calculating his way around for 41 points. Close behind were three players on 40 points, with Jake Hemming the winner on count back.

The ball sweep went to 33 points on count back, so please check in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Phil Wells, 18th – Glen Hooper. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Clint Hurford with a shot of 1.4 metre proximity, which thrilled his day. Sam Ridley was the only visitor.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley saw many golfers enjoying the sunny conditions and dry greens. The winner was Jake Hemming with 36 points, ahead of Anthony Alley on 33 points. The ball sweep went to 32 pts on count back with Jake LeBrocque getting that. The 9th NTP went untouched, while the 18th NTP went to Anthony Alley.

With the release of Forbes Shire from ‘Stay-at-Home’ rules, golf will return to groups of 4 for competition play. Players must still wear their masks around the Pro Shop, use the QR code to register, and exercise social distancing at all times. Refer to the notices at the Pro Shop for more details.

On Saturday September 25, there is an Individual Stroke event, sponsored by Niel’s Complete Carpet Cleaning, in place of the programmed Roylances Cup. On Sunday there will be a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

The field for Saturday’s Men’s Individual Stableford comp, sponsored by Albie Callaghan, was a very healthy 94 players. They all enjoyed the sunshine and fought hard to win the event.

In Div-1 the scores were quite close with five players a possibility to win. Eventually Ben Robinson prevailed with 38 points, finishing his round in great style. Runner-up on count back was Kim Herbert with 37 pts, nudging out three other golfers.

The Div-2 had a count back for the Winner’s position. Both Peter Tisdell and Isaac Vale finished on 39 points, but the nod went to Peter after an extensive count back process.

The ball sweep went to 35 points on count back, so please check in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Terry Griffiths, 18th – Todd Callaghan. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Ian Bown with a shot of 1.1 metre proximity, the best for many weeks. Sam Ridley was the only visitor.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was well supported and resulted in a stalwart player finally getting a good reward, although it was not easy.

The winner was Louise French who managed 39 points and succeeded on count back. Runner-up was Jake Shaw (39 pts). The ball sweep went to 36 pts on count back. The 9th NTP went to Harry Callaghan, while the 18th NTP went to Julie Hurkett.

The Parkes Open which was scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled.
On Saturday 18th September, there is an Individual Stableford in place of the programmed 4BBB Stableford Multiplier. On Sunday there will be a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt