Geoff Drane finishing his putt while Ian Bown contemplates his turn.

On Saturday the Men’s competition was the December Monthly Medal, sponsored by Landmark Forbes, and contested by a field of 76. The A-Graders produced good scores with Peter Dawson firing a nett 66 to grab the Medal. The runner-up was Ethan Gaffney with a nett 69, and a good back 9 to sneak past Alf Davies on count back. The B-Graders produced similar scores.

Denis Culley took the C-Grade Medal with a nett 73, bookending his round with pars on the 1st and 18th. Runner-up was Hamish Steel-Park who fired in a nett 74 and beat Robert ‘Rocket’ Scott on count back.

The Final of the AAA Cup, sponsored by AAA Septic Services, was played on Sunday. The play-off winner was Steve Betland with a nett 69, helped by an eagle on the 6th. The other prize winners were: 2nd – Shane Sallaway, 3rd – Greg Webb and 4th – Ethan Gaffney. Thank you to the sponsor who has supported this event for over four years.

The Wallace Cup Final, a handicap match-play event, has been played and won. It was a very close and tense contest,

with the match being decided on the 18th. Todd Callaghan needed a win to send the match to the 19th, but Steve Grallelis managed a square and won the match 1-up.

Head Pro Ben has been running a raffle at Forbes and Parkes Pro Shops, with the prize being a special edition Titleist Golf bag (only 415 made). A video of the draw is available on Facebook pages. The lucky recipient was Steve Grallelis.

By Short Putt

The Saturday Men’s competition, an Individual Stroke event sponsored by Knights Fabrications, was rocked by two tremendously low scores compiled by the winners of each Division. The field of 70 players did well across the board, but they could not match Peter Barnes or Adam Currey.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had most players out early. The winner was Josh Coulthurst with 42 points, ahead of Bruce Carpenter on 40 points. The ball sweep went to 36 points, giving Jacob Bernardi a ball.

Congratulations to Jenny Fletcher and Ash Tucker who won a Regional Final of the Golf NSW KENO 2-P Ambrose. Their victory, a 1⁄4 shot win, sends them to Bonville for the State Final, being played on December 9-10.

Some good events to start the celebrations for Christmas are coming up. The Tuesday Golfers have their Christmas Party on 10th December after the usual 12-hole run, at which all are welcome.

The Forbes Vets golfers have their Christmas Bash on Thursday, 12th December, with usual start at 9:30am. And on 19th December there is the Mid-Week Christmas Hamper Day, sponsored by Bernardi’s Marketplace. Be prepared for a 9:30am shotgun start.

By Short Putt

Brodie Hodges, Todd Callaghan, Ben Robinson, Dan Bayley with Head Pro Ben Gear, won the VW last week.

Last weekend was the Annual Deacon Dwyer Day, a 4BBB Stableford Medley, sponsored by Rod Besgrove, with 36 pairs contesting. The winners were Nick Ryan and Jonathan Cutler who did well to finish with 48 points, which included a 5-pointer ‘eagle’ on the 15th hole. Runners-up were Hamish and Kate Steel-Park.

The ball sweep went to 43 points on count back, going to: 48 – N Ryan/ J Cutler; 47 – K & H Steele-Park; 46 – A Callaghan/G Newport; 45 – P Pymont/F Donohoe; 44 – P Duke/L O’Connor, N & C Duncan, P Tis- dell/ J Zannes, C Alley/A Alley, N McMillan/ B Carpenter; 43 – G Webb/D McAuliffe, G Collits/ K Sanderson.

The NTP’s for the men went to; 9th – W Judge; 18th – H Steele-Park.

While it is early days yet, players are asked to consider their availability for the Central West Districts Golf Association Pennant series for 2020. This usually commences in early February. Depending on overall numbers of the Clubs who nominate teams in the Four Divisions, there are usually five competition rounds, one Bye and then a two week Finals series. We especially need players in the Division 4 Handicap bracket (above GA 17.5). Please let the Club Captain know.

Looking ahead we have an 18 Hole Stroke, sponsored by Knights Fabrications on Saturday, 30th November, with a Stableford Medley on Sunday, 1st December. Then the following weekend we have the Monthly Medal, on 7th December and on Sunday, 8th December we have the Stableford Medley.

I also have prior notice of an event on Thursday, 19th December, a mid-week Christmas hamper supported by Bernardi Family Supermarket in association with Forbes Veteran Golfers. All welcome, ladies included. We play 12 holes, in two grades with handicap, nominations from 9am for shotgun start at 9.30am.

By Short Putt