Forbes Phoenix

Sand Grass Green Champs Results

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Over the weekend, the third staging of the Sand Grass Greens Championships was held at Grenfell and Forbes courses. The event, managed by GolfNSW and sponsored by Forbes Shire Council, was attended by over 70 players, travelling from 16 clubs across regional and city NSW.

The first round was played at Grenfell on Saturday. A brief shower of rain did not help the putting on the sand greens but conditions improved as did the scores.

The Round 1 Men’s Handicap winner, on count back, was Ash Whitechurch (Grenfell) with 38 points. The Ladies Handicap winner was Sally Mitton (Grenfell) with 35 points and also a winner in count back. The NTP’s went to: 9th –Men – A McDonald (F), Ladies – nil; 18th –Men – Z Kelly (Parkes) and L McCutcheon (Trangie).

On Sunday, the players were at Forbes playing on grass greens. The Round 2 Men’s Handicap winner, on count back, was Geoff Read (The Ridge) with 36 points.

The Ladies Handicap winner was Chantelle Greaves (Dunedoo) with 39 points.

The NTP’s went to: 9th –Men – B Shine (F), Ladies – J Fletcher (F); 18th –Men – Gerry Bassingthwaite (Cootamundra), Ladies – V Forsyth (G).

The 36-hole event prize winners were:

Men

• 36-hole Scratch winner: M Hale (Mudgee) 67 points.

• 36-hole Scratch runner-up: G Harding (Young) 51 points.

• 36-hole Nett winner: B Hughes (Grenfell) 65 points.

• 36-hole Nett runner-up: I Bown (Forbes) 64 on c/b.

Ladies

• 36-hole Scratch winner: C Greaves (Dunedoo) 52 points.

• 36-hole Scratch runner-up: L Harding (Young) 43 points.

• 36-hole Nett winner: K Solberg (Dunedoo) 71 pts.

• 36-hole Nett runner-up: V Forsyth (Grenfell) 66 pts.

There were also prizes for a team event, where the prizes were $500 from GolfNSW to go towards junior promotion programmes at the club. The winners were:

• 1st: Grenfell (V Forsyth, B Hughes, C Johnson, A Whitechurch).

• 2nd: Forbes (S Grallelis, I Bown, A Rees, G Drane).

• 3rd: Cootamundra (G Bassingthwaite, G Byrne, G Ward).

By Short Putt

Sun Sets On Summer Sixes Spectacular

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The grand final of the Forbes Golf Club Super Sixes golf comp for 2017-18, sponsored by ASI Capital, was held on Sunday, 8th April. The weather was conducive to good golf, which the players took advantage of.

The grand final for the Sixes Cup was contested by the winners of each pool, having come through the semi-final stages victorious. The contenders were Boys and Girls, Bush Divas, Postie Top Six and Bushrangers. There were almost full teams for each.

There was also a contest for the winners of the Plate in each pool. They were Drawshanks, Hit n Miss, Lost in the Trees, and Hook, Drive and Sink It. Unfortunately not all players could attend, so this group got around a bit quicker.

Following the play, participants gathered in the Golfie for the presentation dinner. After introductions by President Andrew McDonald, Jeff Herdigan speaking as the major sponsor, thanked the players for their efforts through the season, commiserated with those who missed out and congratulated the winners in all categories.

Vanessa Herdigan, ably assisted by head professional Simon Houston, presented the prizes for weekly winners, overall best performers and the Plate winners and Cup runners-up. A successful weekly winner was Lindy Cowhan, who won the non-members category on three separate weeks.

Loud cheers emanated when the winning team of Bush Divas were announced. Their 101.5 points was significantly better than the runners-up Boys and Girls (107), Postie Top Six (118) and Bushrangers (119). The Bush Divas made a colourful splash in the outfits as they received their prizes.

The Plate winners were Lost in the Trees (110.5) with Hook, Drive and Sink It runnersup.

The Best Net Individual Score in the Cup final went to Denise Squires, while the Most Improved Player for the competition was Robert Scott who halved his handicap from 18 to 9.

Another successful summer season has finished, with over 3,500 games played in the competition. A truly wonderful effort made possible by the good condition of the course.

For those wishing to continue the fun social golf, there is a Winter 3’s comp, commencing on 30th April. Details and entries at the Pro Shop.

By Smooth Swinger

Local Team Wins Holden Scramble

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Twelve teams participated in the 4-person Ambrose Holden Scramble last Sunday. Teams came from Mudgee, Parkes, Orange, Condo and Forbes.

Three teams tied on 57 5/8 nett with a count back deciding the winners – J Fletch- er, D Tilley, D Sly and J Betland, who go to the regional qualifier in March next year.

The runner-up position was also a count back with the team of P Cowhan, B Thom- as, B Thomas and A Tucker just sneaking ahead of R Nixon, N Duncan, F Collie and S Grallelis by one shot.

On Saturday the Men’s 18-hole stroke was won by Andy Cogswell with nett 67 in the A division. Runner-up Cameron McMillan with 71, on count back from two others.

The B-division went to Milton Cartwright with 70 nett, and another count back for runner-up we had yet another count back on 72 nett. Bob Borger got the nod from Ron Morris.

The ball sweep went to 73 with 67 – Andy Cogswell; 70 – M Cartwright; 71 – C Mc- Millan, F Collie, T Morgan; 72 – P Duke, P Dawson, B Everest, R Borger, R Morris; 73 – R Nixon, N Duncan, D Rhodes.

By Short Putt

Near Eagle and Win For Haley

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Saturday’s Monthly Medal 18-Hole Stroke had a large field of 59 players, but the scores generally indicated many players needed a tune up.

The top story of the day goes to Max Haley who not only won the B-grade with the best score of the day, but nearly scored an eagle on the 15th. A wayward drive was followed by a lay-up to the middle of the fairway, but well short of the creek. His fairway wood arched past the trees, bounced on the front of the green and rolled, just skirting the hole to leave a 12” tap in birdie.

Tim West won the A-grade with 74 nett, one shot ahead of runner-up Mark Collits’ 75 nett. For both it was a case of no real disasters. The B-grade went to Max Haley with 69 nett. Dave Earl was runner-up with nett 74.

In the C-grade Brett Slack-Smith scored nett 70, and runner-up was Geoff with 73 nett.

The ball sweep went to 76 nett on count back: 69 – M Haley; 70 – B Slack-Smith; 73 –GDrane;74–DEarl,TWest,PTisdell,S Bate, I Bown; 75 – M Collits, L Byrne; 76 – A Dukes, B Squires, J Betland, B Collie and P Cowhan. The NTP’s went to: 9th – P Daw- son; 18th – B Chandler.

On Sunday 20 pairs competed in the 27- Hole Mixed Foursomes Championship in beautiful sunny weather with a crisp temperature.

Jean and Warwick Judge were nett leaders after 18 holes, with Stirling/Grierson on 91, only one shot ahead of Davidson/Nixon in the scratch. The best third 9-holes nett went to Scott/McDonald who ‘came home with a wet sail’ to score 31.75. The best 9-hole scratch went to Davidson/Nixon with their 45.

The final winners were Fran and Rich- ard Smith who took the 27-Hole Mixed Foursomes Handicap honours with a nett 112.5. Runners-up were Jean and Warwick Judge with 113.25 nett. An 18-hole playoff is needed to determine the Mixed Foursomes Scratch winners. Stirling/Grierson and Davidson/Nixon both finished on 137.

By Short Putt

Golf In Great Weather

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The Easter weekend was full of golf, played in great weather conditions.

Saturday’s Individual Stableford was won by Rob Webb in the A-division. He scored 43 points in a roller-coaster ride. Runner-up was Ray Taylor with 42 points showing con- sistency throughout.

In the B-division, Paul Kay steadily im- proved to score 36 points. Runner-up was Troy Howe who had good and bad patches to score 35 points.

The ball sweep went to 36 points on count back, going to those above plus: 39 – D Bayley, K Herbert, T Griffiths, P Dawson, J Haley; 38 – N McMillan, M Haley; 37 – S Hailstone, S Uphill; 72 – K Sanderson.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – K Herbert; 18th – B Parker.

On Easter Friday the golfers played a Sta- bleford Medley. A small field played well, with Martin Woods taking the honours on 40 points and Shane Sallaway runner-up on 35 points. There was no ball sweep, but NTP’s went to – 9th: D Churchill and 18th: S Sallaway.

Easter Sunday was also a Stableford Medley, won by Jill Cripps with 38 points. Runner-up was Bruce Carpenter on 37 points on count back. The ball sweep went to 37, with R Morris and R Cross (Wyong) collecting a ball. NTP’s – 9th: Sue Cross; 18th: nobody.

Easter Monday had a Stableford Medley won by Dave Mylecharane on 42 points. Runner-up Andrew Dukes scored 40 points, which included three birdies and an eagle to finish 1-under the card.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – P Dawson; 18th – B Drabsch. The ball sweep went to 35 points, going to those above plus: 38 – T West; 37 – P Dawson, G West, M Cahill; 36–RBaker,BEverest;35–GDrane,M Browne.

Important dates

The Lachlan Valley District Men’s Pennants and Championships is on Sunday.

The Vets ‘Week of Golf’ runs from 8th to 12th May. Nominations must be in now.

The Forbes Open will be on 14th May, and 13th May will be a 4BBB.

On Friday, 19th May is the Legends Pro- Am. Ladies, men and juniors are encour- aged to participate alongside Legends pro- fessional golfers.

Remember to keep our course good by re- pairing pitch marks on the greens, filling in your divots and keeping your carts away from the greens. We want Forbes course to be at its best for the Open.

By Short Putt

Successful Golf In Mixed Conditions

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Last Saturday’s Men’s Monthly Medal saw a solid field competing enjoying balmy weather conditions.

The A-grade winner was Tim West with 68 nett. Runner-up was Andrew Grieson with 70 nett. The B-grade was won by Neil Duncan, with 71 nett, and runner-up Michael Spice with his 74 nett.

The C-grade was won by Ross Williams with a powerful 68 nett. Runner-up was Steve Grallelis, with 72 nett. The NTP’s went to: 9th – R Nixon; 18th – B Parker.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, going to: 68 – R Williams, T West; 70 – A Grierson; 71 – Niel Duncan; 72 – B Shine, S Grallelis; 73 – A Alley, B Squires; 74 – M Spice, R Taylor, B Carpenter, L O’Connor and S Betland.

On Sunday the Grand Final of the ASI- sponsored Sixes Summer competition was played. Conditions were not summery, with some heavy storms before play and strong, cold winds during the afternoon.

The overall winners were Forbes Toyota, with a score of 114. Runners-up were Boys & Girls on 118.5. Equal third were F-Troop and Kool Kats, both on 123. The scores were not scorchers, but good efforts in try- ing conditions.

The best net score of the day went to Jake Hanley of Forbes Toyota with 35.5. He was blessed with a bit of luck, but also had strong game to contend against the wind.

The presentation prize night and dinner was held upstairs in the Golfie, and en- joyed by over 100 players and guests. The sponsors, Jeff and Vanessa Herdigan of ASI Capital, were thrilled with the partici- pation by social and serious golfers alike. They also affirmed their sponsorship for next year’s competition.

There were a number of prizes handed out across a range of categories including – Weekly Winners, Most Games Played, Most Team Points, and more.

It was a fun night rounding off a fun sum- mer competition.

By Short Putt

Professional Golf Reappears At Forbes

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Pro-Am Winner with team comp

Professional golf returned to Forbes last Friday, its first appearance since the late 60s and early 70s, and it proved to be an outstanding success. Playing in the E-Z-Go Legends Pro- Am, David Merriman from Royal Pines in Queensland and formally from Boorowa, came out winner with 6-under par 66.

The professional tournament, for players aged 55 years and over, also included amateurs from across the district resulting in a full field of 120 plus with play from 8.30am to 10.30am on the 1st and 10th tees. Like all players Merriman was highly impressed with the Forbes course. “What the club here has put on is excellent, the course is a credit to the outdoor staff and volunteers who help out,” he said. “The speed of the greens which have a good cover of grass really impressed me, they were excellent and putts kept their line. I can see this tournament growing in years to come,” he added.

Runner-up with 3-under par 69 was Peter Woodward from Berwick, Victoria. Third was touring professional Glenn Joyner from Melbourne while fourth place was shared by local amateur Steve Betland and Allan May from Thornleigh, NSW. With a total purse of $11,000, Betland would have picked up a cheque of $625.24 if eligible.

Betland wasn’t the only local player to collect a trophy with several others taking home spoils in A, B and C grades plus Ladies. Forbes golfing ladies continued the trend of major events, staging their Open Tournament last weekend with Duntryleague Orange member Susan Fenwick winning the individual competition on Sunday with a score of 83 in Division 1.

Other winners were:
Division 1 – Handicap was won by Heather Davidson (Forbes) with 73 nett.
Division 2 – Scratch Cookie Dobell (Cowra) 93, Handicap Verna Lane (Forbes) 75.
Division 3 – Scratch Jean Judge (Forbes) 110, Handicap Briana Duncan (Forbes) 75.

On Saturday the Mens competition was a Stroke event. The A-division Winner was Jordan Brett with 68 nett, with Runner-up Todd Callaghan on 69 nett. The B-Division honours went to John Ridley, who scorched around in 63 nett, a long way ahead of Stuart French on 72 nett. Golf this weekend: Saturday has Men – Monthly Medals, sponsor Luke Hurford Painting. Ladies – Stableford, sponsor Haley Hurford Beauty Therapy. Sunday, Mother’s Day Medley Stableford.

Close Victory in Two-Person Ambrose

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20Feb16 M Spice comp

On Saturday 20 Feb the Mens competition was a 2-Person Ambrose.
The Winners were Andrew Dukes and Daniel Bayley, who combined well to shoot 4-under for each 9-holes. They pulsed well as Andrew had most of the drives on the front-9 while Daniel had the drives on the back-9.

The Runners-up contest needed a count back to resolve the deadlock. Peter Dawson and Terry Sharpe finished 5-under par to be a smidgeon behind the Parkes pairing of Peachy Dixon and Cranky Kelly on 66, but the Dawson/Sharpe handicap got the win.

Sunday was the regular Stableford Medley. The sunny and hot conditions presented a challenge, but a few looked upon this as sheer bliss. There were even visiting players from Parkes who came to watch the Pennants and play a round after it. Ray Taylor recaptured some of his touch on the green, rolling in a few bombs to help him to a winning score of 35, on countback.

The ever steady Bruce Carpenter also had 35 points, but was less tidy on the back-9. And here is the news:
Last Sunday had mixed fortunes for the Pennants teams. Div 2 and Div 4 played, with a win to the Div 2 and a loss to the Div 4. The heroes for Forbes this week were Kim Herbert and Dave Mylecharane (demolishing
their opponents in Div 2), and Richard Smith and Jim McLuckie – battling
to the very end without due reward. All divisions play at Parkes this Sunday.

We are pleased to see Barry Parker back on the golf course. He may be a bit slower at present, but on the course he can still drive true and be heard by everyone playing. And Ron Morris is doing well after his operation. And perhaps a final word about milestone birthdays. Happy birthday to Scott Kirkman for tomorrow, when he celebrates 60 years.

Swing easy and let it all flow.

Contributed by Short Putt

Forbes Nissan Classic Goes to Local Star

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Ladies 4BBB Winner Briana and Carolyn Duncan comp

The weekend weather was excellent and so was the form of local star John Betland, who won this year’s Nissan Classic. The weekend kicked off with a social comp on Friday, set up to give any visitors attending the Forbes Nissan Classic a chance to iron out any travelling soreness. A 4BBB competition followed on Saturday with the Classic Stroke event on Sunday.

Saturday’s 4BBB field of 142 Men, Ladies and Juniors travelled from all over NSW to participate in a Stableford and Scratch format. In the Men’s section the 4BBB Scratch winners were Peter Dawson/Shane Sallaway with 40 Scratch points. They won on count back from Danny Acret/Denis Day, both from Penrith. The Stableford winners were Anthony Davies/Brent Miller with 46 points, on count back from Warwick Judge/ John Findlay (Manly).

The Ladies results were similarly close. The Scratch winners were Julie Hurkett/ Kerry Stirling with 22 points from Fran Smith/ Sharon Grierson on 22. The Stableford winners were C Duncan/B Duncan with 48, ahead of runners-up S Crosby/J Petith (Nelson Bay). The ball sweep across the field went to 43 Stableford points. The receivers were: 48 –
C Duncan/B Duncan, 46 – A Davies/B Miller, W Judge/J Finlay, 45 – R Nixon/N Duncan, J Tuovinen/M Sedger (Cabramatta), A Borger/R Borger, B McCrone/D Guymer (Temora), 44- P Dawson/S Sallaway, M Collitts/D Sly, 43 – D Acret/D Day on count back.

Sunday was the big day for the Forbes Nissan Classic. The field was 165 players with many more additions from Saturday’s field. Saturday 21 November is the 18-hole Stroke ‘Medal of Medallists’. There is a list in the Pro Shop of those contending for the title, so check there or contact Andrew Dukes to affirm if you are ‘in’. Sunday 22 November is the Stableford Medley, alongside the St Lawrence Ambrose group.

Big drives and accuracy win it for mother-daughter team

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On Tuesday 7 July we had the first round of play for the Billabong 4BBB match play, when Barbara Drabsch and I went up against the mother-daughter team of Enid Baker and Julie Hurkett. Barb and I thought we might be able to make a game of it but knew that, with the big drives of Julie and the accuracy of Enid around the greens, we would really have to be at our best.

We can only say that we tried our best but on the day the mother-daughter team were too good, winning 6 and 5. Great game ladies, congratulations and all the best for your following rounds.

The event on Wednesday 8 July was a stableford sponsored by Margaret Bentick and Deborah Dingwall. Division 1 winner was Fran Smith with a very good score of 41. Runner-up was Ev Uphill with a 40. Division 2 winner was Fae Grogan with another great score of 40. Runner-up was Doreen Barnes with a 39. Congratulations to all. There were some very hot scores, and some may lose a stroke off their handicaps.

Nearest the pin on the 9th was Kerry Stirling and on the 18th Fran Smith. Ball sweep went to 38 on a countback —
Fran Smith, Fae Grogan, Ev Uphill, Doreen Barnes and Helen Duff. We also played the Western Districts Spoon
Qualifying Round. Division 1 winners were Fran Smith (41), Heather Davidson (36). Division 2 winners were Ev Uphill (40), Fae Grogan (40). Division 3 winners were Helen Duff (38), Julie Woods (38). Saturday’s results can be seen in the men’s notes as this was a four-ball aggregate stableford medley.

I would like to say thank you to Shirley Redfern, who was playing her first 18 holes in a long time. She played with me in this event, and we enjoyed the golf and our playing partners, but I must alert everyone it pays to read the whiteboard for changes of rules, as it is not very good if you happen to hit the ball better than you think you might and it lands near the very bright yellow cart. Is it Scotty? You might find that the ants have built a rather large nest on your ball.

Just a reminder to all still playing their matches for the Dot Cody match play that your fourth-round games are to be played by 26 July. Also, we have started the Billabong four-ball match play and your first round should be completed by 2 August.

Next Saturday is the 27-hole Ladies Foursomes Championships, sponsored by Forbes Auto Wreckers. Ladies, make sure you read the whiteboard on the pro-shop wall, as some rules have changed. I think this news will please most — there will be preferred lies through the greens. I thought I might remind some of you about some rules that often get forgotten, One that bobbed up on Wednesday is that if you play off the wrong tee marker, there is a two-stroke penalty and you must play your ball from the correct tee, not play three from where the ball lands. I hope that discussing these rules helps and I will try to introduce at least one rule each week.

Until next week, good golfing.
By Kerry Stirling

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