The weekend’s golf featured the fourth running of the Australian 2-Person 2-Club Medley Championship, sponsored by Cahill’s Footwear. This is an 18-Hole Stroke event in which four clubs are shared between each pair, and makes for a challenging experience.

The winners were John Betland and Craig Barrett who combined their efforts to finish with a nett 62. Their 32/34-66 scratch was a combined effort. Runners-up were Brian Doyle and Greg Webb.

The ball sweep went to 681/2, going to: J Betland/C Barrett, B Doyle/G Webb, C Alley/B Slack-Smith, D McAuliffe/R Nixon, A Dukes/M Spice and Alf Davies/P Barnes.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ladies: Bess Shields, Men: Paul Pymont; 18th – Ladies: Brianna Duncan, Men: Greg Webb. Marty Cahill, sponsor for the event, presented the Trophy to John and Craig, along with their ‘Golden Boot’ individual personal award.

To start the weekend Friday, 26th January had a Stableford Medley. Players meshed their golf game in between Australia Day activities.

The winner was Digit McAuliffe, with 39 points. He got there on count back from Andrew Dukes, who but for an untimely bogey on the 17th would have been king.

The Ball sweep went to 37 points, distributed to those above plus Peter Nixon, Scott Kirkman, Greg Webb and Peter Sinclair (Nelson Bay). The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ron Morris; 18th – Peter Nixon.

Then on Sunday, 28th January the regular Stableford Medley was played. The winner was Ron Morris with 41 points. Runner-up was Brianna Duncan who scored 40 points.

The Ball Sweep went to 39 points, going to those above plus John Betland (39). The NTP’s went to: 9th – Peter Dawson; 18th –Ray Taylor.

It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Ron Hurst. Ron fell very ill last week, and was transported to Sydney where he passed away on Monday. Margaret was by his side.

By Short Putt

On Saturday the Mens comp was an 18- Hole Stableford, with 65 players in the field. Once again the scoring matched the weather.

The A-Division winner was Ted Morganwho, despite a minor blemish on the 14th hole, compiled 41 points. Runner-up on count back was Barry Parker. A few 7’s on his card hurt him.

Also on 41 points, but sadly without any honours, was our pro Simon Houston. This was, I think, his first competitive 18-hole game at Forbes. He relished being out there with the club members so much that he shot a 5-under ‘67’ to earn him the 41 points.

The B-Division saw Garry Collits with a score of 43 points relegated to runnerup by newcomer Joshua Coulthurst, who burst in with a score of 51 points. It was a fantastic round by each of them, with Josh showing real skill.

The ball sweep went to 36 points on count back, going to: 51 – J Coulthurst; 43 – G Collits; 42 – G Webb; 41 – T Morgan, B Parker; 40 – Alf Davies, T Howe; 39 – Mike Wood, D McAuliffe; 38 – J Morgan, L Grierson, P Nixon; 37 – B Squires, S McAlister and 36 – B Borger.

The NTP’s went to: 1st – Alf Davies, 18th – Simon Flynn.

The Sunday Stableford Medley comp had a small number in the field primarily due to the forecast conditions. Eileen Hush did very well to score 36 points and take the honours. She defied all common standards to do better on the back-9 rather than thefront-9, which is the reverse of everybody else. She finished ahead of Ray Taylor on 35 points.

There was no ball sweep. And there were no NTP’s as nobody hit the greens.

By Short Putt

In keeping with the Elvis flavour, there were surprises in the weather and the golf scores, making for a good weekend.

Saturday’s event was an 18-Stroke sponsored by Rob Allen Livestock Transport, contested by 80 was played in two Divisions.

The A-Division winner was Phil Maher with 67 nett. He enjoyed pleasant conditions and maintained his form, finishing with a birdie. Runner-up was Lee Grierson, who had played early in changeable conditions.

He was 1-under par after the front-9, then parred the back-9 to present a very classy score of 71 nett.

The B-Division had a real surprise, being a nett 63 scored by Garry Pymont, showing his best form for many weeks. Runner-up was Craig Barrett who was noted to have putted brilliantly, but alas his 65 nett was not quite enough.

The ball sweep went to 73 on count back, going to: 63 – G Pymont; 65 – C Barrett; 67 – P Maher; 68 – Mitch Andrews, L Grierson, S Sallaway, S Kirkman; 69 – N Mc- Millan, T Griffiths, G Webb, P Tisdell; 70 – L O’Connor, W Judge; 71 – T Howe, B Squires; 72 – R Morris, D Bayley, M Cahill; A Alley, S Uphill and A Dukes.

The NTP’s went to: 1st – Craig Barrett, 18th – Dave Mylecharane. The Sunday Stableford Medley comp, was played by 15 players in very comfortable conditions.

Bruce Carpenter used his knowledge of the course well to score 38 points, and takethe win ahead of Ray Taylor on 37 points.

The ball sweep went to 35 points, being collected by the two gents above, and Bess Shield and Charles Dwyer, both on 35. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Steve Betland; 18th – Bruce Carpenter.

By Short Putt

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