Week ending 13th January
A large contingent of members attended the game on Tuesday. Alec Todd and Bruce Field top scored with 3 wins each, followed closely by an awesome 14 runners up with two games each.
On Saturday, Harley Stewart was the only member who defeat all comers with three wins and 9 runners up with two wins.
A cracking start to the season for all.
The Annual Ham Day sponsored by Kenny’s Butchery, was the Saturday competition and was played as an individual Stableford. The temperature was hot enough to crisp the golfers and roast the ham, but also led to many scorching results.
The A-Division was led by Barry Parker who finished with 43 points. Close behind was Shane Sallaway on 41 points, and secured only by count back from Ian Bown.
The B-Division was very tight with a gaggle of players within reach of the win. Greg Webb, scoring 40 points won on count back from runner-up Ken Sanderson.
The ball sweep went to 37 pts on count back, being shared by: 43 – B Parker; 41 – S Sallaway, I Bown; 40 – G Webb,
K Sanderson, R Morris, K Herbert; 39 – A Tucker, B Slack-Smith, R Borger; 38 – C Barrett, R Besgrove; 37 – S Uphill, P Nixon, J Earl, S Grallelis. The NTP’s went to: 9th – P Nixon; 18th – S Sallaway.
Frank Donohoe was the sharp-shooter on the day, scoring 2’s on the 1st and 9th.
The course was playing sufficiently well to allow some personal milestones to be scored. Stephen Uphill had his first ever birdie on the 17th hole. A handy drive, followed by a ‘driver off the deck’ that finished 2 foot from the pin, and an easy putt finished it off.
Sunday was the Stableford Medley, also contested in hot sunshine heavy conditions, which led to a drop in numbers.
Ash Tucker, with 37 points, won the day on count back from Andrew Dukes. There was no ball sweep. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ray Taylor and 18th – no one.
Saturday 23rd December is an 18-hole Stableford, Sunday 24th December is a Stableford Medley, Tuesday 26th December is a Stableford Medley, Saturday 30th December a Canadian Foursomes and Sunday 31st December a Stableford Medley.
Wishing you all good fortune from Santa, a happy New Year’s Eve, and hoping to see you next year.
By Short Putt
Week ending 9th December
It was another great turnout with 32 players getting in on the game for our Tuesday golf croquet.
Our four clean sweepers this week were Harley Stewart, Neville Morrison, Alec Todd and Mal Smith.
Aussie Croquet on Saturday saw a turnout of 28 enthusiastic players although there was only one clean sweeper. Well done John MacCullagh with very consistent play throughout your games.
It was good to have Veva MacCullagh roaring around the fields after her recent winter illness and thrashing her opposition, including me, in each of her games.
Visitor Stuart Speight from the Central Coast received a welcome return.
Excitement mounts as we prepare of our Christmas lunch and awards presentation at the Vandenberg Hotel on 12th December.
There will be a general meeting after croquet on Tuesday, 19th December.
By Anne Stewart
The competition on Saturday was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Central West Diesel. Players were keen to get back onto the course after missing a weekend due to wet conditions, but they found the conditions hot and difficult.
The A-Grade was won by Richard Nixon with a nett 68. His front-9 included only one ‘5’ and that on the 2nd. Runner-up was Barry Shine with a nett 70.
The B-Grade winner was Graham Newport with a nett 68. Warwick Judge was runner-up with a nett 69. The competitive C-Graders were four players finishing on 73 nett. The winner on count back was Bruce Chandler ahead of Mark Watts, both on 73 nett.
The ball sweep went to 73 nett on count back, going to: 68 – G Newport, R Nixon; 69 – W Judge; 70 – B Shine; 71 – P Maher, J Earl; 72 – D Bayley, T Griffiths; 73 – B Chandler, M Watts, B Carpenter, P Grayson, B Parker, F Hanns, D Rhodes, S Kirkman, T Edols. The NTP’s went to: 9th – R Webb; 18th – A Tucker.
The course played really well despite the recent wet conditions. The only additional obstacles were a bit of water at the back of the 3rd and a wider than normal carry across the 4th, but scoring was still difficult.
Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Peter Barnes, who enjoyed the heat and scorched around to score 44 points. He was ahead of Bob Borger on 41, who earned runner-up on count back from James Earl.
The ball sweep went to 38, with James Earl (41) and Ash Tucker (38) getting balls. Ash almost made headlines with his NTP on the 9th. Dave Rhodes got the NTP on the 18th, but missed his ‘2’.
The new programme for 2018-19 Men’s, Ladies and Vets comps are being worked on with the books available in January 2018.
Do not forget to zip into the Pro Shop for some last minute Christmas gift ideas.
Saturday, 16th December is the 18-hole Stableford Ham Day, sponsored by Kenny’s Baa-Moo-Oink Butchery. Sunday will be a Stableford Medley.
Saturday, 23rd December is an 18-hole Stableford, sponsored by Shirley Redfern.
Sunday, 24th December is a StablefordMedley.
Over the Xmas/New Year break we have: Tuesday, 26th December a Stableford Medley; Saturday, 30th December a Canadian Foursomes sponsored by Post Office Hotel and on Sunday, 31st December a Stableford Medley.
By Short Putt
Northparkes staff had a different type of experience last Thursday when organiser Stacey Kelly arranged a dragon boat paddle for seventeen of her staff members.
Club President, Bill Thomas was happy to skipper the boat, while Bev Williams took on the important role as the pace-setter and Beth Thomas drummed and coached the team of novices. “They paddled amazingly well for first-timers and had a huge amount of fun. It’s such a fabulous idea for staff bonding,” stated Bill Thomas.
The crew were surprised at what a true workout a dragon-boat paddle can be, and some stated they’d be interested in having another go. The Lachlan Dragons would warmly welcome them.
If you’re looking for the unique experience of dragon-boating, call Bill on 0418 616 500 or Chris on 0414 762 775.
The Forbes Netball Association spring night competitions for both mixed and ladies teams came to an end last week when finals were played in both divisions.
The ladies final was very close throughout the full game, with the lead often changing and spectators kept on the edge of their seats, as they cheered on their favourite team.
The final result was Forbes Engineering 32 defeating Postie 31.
Forbes Engineering held a two goal lead at the end of the first quarter, winning it 10- 8, but Postie fought back in the second to even the scores at the half time break to 15 all.
Monique Point on led the way for Engineering, showing great vision in all areas. Lisa Drane and Carmen Jelbart also proved to have a big impact for their Engineering team.
The third quarter had Engineering ahead by two goals with Postie players Aurella White, Ellie Flick and Caitlin Duncan fighting hard for their team.
The lead changed many times and the final quarter was very exciting as both teams scored goal for goal.
Postie took the lead with a minute to go, but Engineering fought hard and regained the lead, finally scoring the winning goal with seconds to spare.
The experience of the Engineering team came through in the last minute but the young Postie team showed what they are capable of as they gain experience in tight games.
The final of the mixed competition was played between the new team of H & S and the younger team of Zenith.
The final result was Zenith 24 defeating H & S 10.
Zenith took an early lead in the first quarter winning it 5-2 and at half time increased by a goal to lead 10-7 with all players working hard.
The teenagers of Zenith showed great skills, led by Ellen McLinden who never gave up, setting a great example of determination and fighting spirit.
Will Driscoll of Zenith intercepted many passes and kept turning over the ball to his team. Krystal Girot, shooter for Zenith who is also coming back from 12 months of injury, showed all the skills she has learnt before her break.
H & S are a new team, with the men catching on to netball very early in the competition. The team was lead by Ness Campbell and Hannah Cudaj who never gave up trying.
Zenith took a commanding lead in the third quarter, winning by 18-8 and continued to increase the difference in the final quarter.
Congratulations to all the players whom showed outstanding sportsmanship throughout both final games.
Best and Fairest for the ladies competition was Alyssa Crowe from Golfie.
Best and Fairest for the mixed competition was Ellen McLinden from Zenith.
Week ending 2nd December
This week’s games delivered great results with 6 members winning their three games on Tuesday. The winning teams being Marj Styles, Veva MacCullagh, Dorothea Croker,John Browne, John Allegri and Kevin Rubie. Excellent results achieved by the teams.
Apologies to Marj Styles for my error in failing to note her three wins of Tuesday, 7th November.
Saturday was a washout and no games were played. Such a disappointing weekend for those attending Vanfest. The town had great hopes for an exciting weekend of camping and music for our visitors.
Don’t forget our Christmas get-together at the Van on Tuesday, 12th December at 12 midday. Wear your brightest, Christmassy gear and be prepared to have an enjoyable time.
By Anne Stewart
The Wagga Wagga Dragon Boat Regatta was the epitome of friendliness with a great time experienced by all.
It started for the Lachlan Dragons with a team barbecue on the regatta eve with a lot of fun and laughs shared by the crew and some friendly rivalry aimed at opposition paddlers who were sharing the area.
The atmosphere continued throughout the Regatta Day with lots of jovial challenges exchanged between competing teams.
The rains fell only on the furthest peripheries and the predicted thunderstorms held off so that the only booming was that of the drums ringing across Lake Albert. Teams of paddlers were egged on by those beating drums as well as by the cheers of their support crews.
The Forbes Lachlan Dragons raced in all three categories: men’s, women’s and mixed. The men’s, combined with the Sudu Dragons of Wollongong, raced a beautiful final to take the third place trophy.
The coaches expressed how happy they were with all races. “You all raced extremely well against very stiff competition,” said Coach Carmen Stephens.
“Your power in the boat and your technique was great,” added Coach Warren Edwards.
The Lachlan Dragons will stay geared up under these two inspiring coaches, with a bit of a break over Christmas, in readiness for the Canberra Regatta in January.
Back home on Lake Forbes, many new paddlers have been turning up for a try and loving it. Most are returning for another go and some are even joining up as members.
If you’re looking for a great sport that fits any age, and is a real workout for any ability or fitness level, come and give it a go.
For more information call Bill Thomas on 0418616500 or Chris Sweeney on 0414 762 775.
Forbes High School has claimed the Ben Hall Shield for 2017, in what was a very competitive and close competition with Blayney High School.
At the end of October, Forbes High School hosted the annual Ben Hall Shield against Blayney High School. In its fourth year this competition is proving to be an exciting opportunity for our students to demonstrate their skills on the sporting fields.
The competition saw Blayney High School take the lead and start off strong against some of the Forbes High School teams defeating their junior girls and boys’ basketball teams and junior and senior girls’ touch football teams.
With the home ground advantage Forbes High School were able to step up and come home with a convincing win, taking out seven of the eleven games. The teams had success in the volleyball, junior and senior netball, senior girls and boy’s basketball and both the junior and senior boys’ touch football.
The Ben Hall Shield proves each year to be a prize both high schools seek out to win and which seems to bring out a competitive nature in all students to want to succeed.
Deputy Principal Jason Nottingham said, “It’s great to see all students from both high schools bring such a competitive spirit to the Ben Hall Shield and strive to do their best. We had a really lovely day hosting Blayney High School and look forward to travelling there next year.”
Week ending 25th November
Weather wise, this day was the pick of the season. Some close games were played, especially an epic battle between John Cole and Bill Scott on the second last game of the day. Winning scores of three games on Tuesday were four women, namely Dorelle Scott, Kathy Broderick, Joan Littlejohn and Robin Polls. They outnumbered the men with scores of three games, namely Mal Smith, Alec Todd and Barry White.
Saturday morning warmed up very quickly and a members vote was taken to hit off at 8:30am on Tuesday and Saturday mornings in order to beat the heat. Winners on the day with scores of three games were Dorothea Croker, Bruce Field and Bob Murray.
A reminder to all members that our Christmas lunch will be held on Tuesday, 12th December.
By Anne Stewart