Bogan Gate Golf Club has nine tiny black soil greens on a flat paddock with natural grass
fairways. Social players are welcome to play on weekends. Contact: 02 6864 3233.

The Bogan Gate Golf Course has a colourful history dating back to the 1920s when the original golf club was located at the western end of Bogan Gate and you had to hit over the Trundle Railway Line. One fellow claims he holds the longest drive; he hit off as a train was going past and the ball landed in a carriage and ended up in Tottenham.

The golf club were originally granted an area of 86 acres of crown land, and on the western side they also had a rifle range. Years later a Major came to the Army Camp who loved golf so much he set up a golf course and invited the locals to come and play. That lasted until the mid 1970s when a new Major arrived and it closed down.Then in 1976, the golfers obtained permission from Crown Lands to set up a golf course on the showground and the adjoini­ing land over the creek, making a 9 hole course with sand greens.

Over the years, successful grant applications have enhanced the clubhouse greatly.

The club is completely run by voluntary labour, meaning all the mowing and maintenance of the greens and course is carried out by volunteers. Many players say the sand greens are the best in the central west. The club has approximately 20 members, with quite a few of them who live in Parkes or Forbes and travel out.

About four times a year the club put on a meal after golf which is a great social event.

Meeting the insurance costs is a great struggle for this tiny club, so they need your support. They play 18 holes from the end of March until the beginning of November on weekends, mostly Sun­days, and over the summer they play Chicken Runs on Sunday afternoons at 5pm. The club is holding a free Family Golf Day on Saturday 3 May, so please head along and show your support. For further information contact 0457 709 829.

Jake Banks lets rip with a drive.

The Forbes Golf men’s event played on Saturday saw a scintillating performance by Neil Duncan as he recorded one of the lowest scores this year. The event was an Individual Stroke sponsored by ‘J&J Rid­ley’. The field of 57 players enjoyed the sunny conditions.

The A-Grade Winner was Neil Duncan with a score of 66 nett. He managed a 39 scratch on the front-9 which included a ‘9’ on the 7th hole. His back-9 was equally im­pressive with a 39 scratch again. Runnerup Fons Melisi with a nett 70. This also was compiled through steadfast golf with a 4241 split.

The B-Grade went to new member An­thony Boshoff with a nett 69. He had a steady front-9 but lost concentration on the back-9. Runner-up was Brian Clarke with craftsman-like 70 nett. He also was fairly even on both halves with a better score on the back-9.

The ball sweep went to 75 nett on count back. Check in the Pro Shop to see if you were successful.

There were two visitors, being Char­lie Goodsell (Condo) and Wayne Harriott (Headland GC). Charlie enjoyed his outing having played here before but Wayne had a few problems, notably starting each half with two double-bogeys.

The NTP’s went to: 9th Jarrod Hall; 18th Archie Quirk, with both converting for a ‘2’. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Jenny Fletcher with a shot to 60 cm.

On Sunday a 3-Person Ambrose was played. The winning team comprising Glen Hooper, Cooper Byrnes and Scott Northey took the prize with a 60 nett. Scott also got the NTP on the 18th.

This Saturday, 19 April will be an 18-Hole Par event, sponsored by Forbes Tuesday Golfers. Across Easter there will be Stabl­eford Medleys offered on Friday, Sunday and Monday.

By Short Putt

Liam Fraser putts while Richard Smith and Paul Pymont watch on.’ Unfortunately the shady hats tend to obscure things.

On Saturday the Forbes Golf men’s event held was the Monthly Medal sponsored by ‘The Roadies’, a group composed of mem­bers Grayson, Earl, French and Haley. The field of 59 players enjoyed the comfortable conditions but were left floundering by the inspired golf played by Brett Slack-Smith.

The A-Grade winner was again a visi­tor, this time Jack Sharkey (Dubbo) with a nett 70. He started his round 2-under after three holes and maintained his form with only one blemish on the 4th. Runner-up and medal winner was Jacob Reid with an even par 72 nett. He did well on the back-9.

The B-Grade was won by Mark Sim­monds with a nett 69 derived from steady golf throughout playing alongside Jacob Reid. Unfortunately, he was not eligible for the medal. Runner-up and medal winner was Paul Pymont with 71 nett. He was an early starter and relished the cool condi­tions to have 44 scratch ‘each way’.The C-Grade was where the fireworks were had. Brett Slack-Smith was ‘in the zone’ which led to his 66 nett. He turned only 4-over but showed fatigue towards the end of the back-9. The runner-up was Jake Banks with his 73 nett. He was disap­pointed with his front-9 but settled to finish well on his back-9.

The ball sweep went to 78 nett on count back. There were two visitors, being Jack Sharkey (Dubbo) and Andrew Bayley (The Rock). Both enjoyed their outing with Jack especially pleased.

The NTP’s went to: 9th B Thomas; 18th Jack Sharkey, with neither converting for a ‘2’. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Jeff House with a shot to 153 cm.

This Saturday, 12 April will be an 18-Hole Stroke event, sponsored by J&J Ridley.

Sunday will have a 3-Person Ambrose.

By Short Putt

On Saturday in the Men’s golf 18-Hole Stableford, sponsored by Forbes Holiday Park, John Betland made no errors in scor­ing the best scratch and nett scores of the day. Adding to the excitement the generos­ity of the sponsor saw the remaining play­ers in the field of 54 scrambling for placings down to third.

Div-1 was taken out by John Betland with a score of 40 points. He shot the same scratch score on each half but was unhin­dered by his ‘plus’ handicap on the back9. Runner-up was Anthony Alley with 37 points but stumbling on the back-9. In thirdplace was Cooper Byrnes (36 Points) rid­ing a wave of good golfing form.

Nominations are open for three major events coming up: the Men’s Open on 27 April, Ladies Open on 4 May and the Vets WoG on 5-9 May. Check the website or contact the Pro Shop for details.

This Saturday,5 April, will be the ‘Road­ies Day’ Monthly Medal, sponsored by Grayson, Earl, French and Haley. Sunday will have a Stableford Medley and also the Summer Sixes Grand Final in the after­noon.

By Short Putt