Div 1 Pennants Winners: ‘Caleb Hanrahan, Steve Betland, Peter Dawson, John Betland and Brad Ashton celebrate after their win.’

On Sunday the Finals of the Central West District Mens Pennants were held at Duntryleague in Orange. Forbes was represented by our Div 1 team, who were up against a strong Dubbo team in what proved to be a tight contest.

Our Div 1 team won by 3 matches to 2, capably led by John Betland (won 4/2), with Steve Betland (1 up) and Caleb Hanrahan (4/2) also won. Peter Dawson fought hard, losing on the 18 th , while Brad Ashton did well to come back from a poor start but lost 3/1. A fantastic effort by all involved.

On Saturday the Men’s competition was a 4-person Ambrose Medley, sponsored by the Forbes Rugby Union Club. The field of 92 included club and social golfers who enjoyed beautiful conditions.

The winners were a group of new members which included Taylor Krause, A Tier, S Jarrett and O Patterson, with a winning score of 56.5 nett. Runners up were Dave Rhodes, Rob Webb, Peter Tisdell and John Kuntze (Canowindra), who managed a score of 58 nett and got there on count back.

The NTP’s were: 9 th – Men Jacob Bernardi, Ladies Deb Tilley; 18 th – Men Charlie Kaehler, Ladies Deb Tilley. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3 rd green, went to Michael Jeffress (Pks) with a shot to 161 cm. The ball sweep went to 58 ¼ nett.

The Summer Sixes comp Grand Final is to be played on Sunday 24 March. The teams to contest the final are Forbes Auto, Essential Energy, Forbes Auto Pretenders and Misfits.

A Presentation Dinner will be held in the Golfie after the Grand Final on Sun 24 March, commencing at 6 pm. All players are welcome, with only guests required to pay a modest fee for the meal. By the way there are still spots available in the Forbes Rugby Union Club Golf Day being held today, Friday the 22nd of March, to raise funds for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund. Go ahead and call the pro-shop to secure your spot on 02 6851 1554.

Contributed by Short Putt

‘Super Pin Winner Peter Grayson showing fine style.

Last Saturday the Mens competition was the 4BBB Stableford, sponsored by SGB Designs, with a field of 51.

Winners were Taylor Krause and Damian Noll with 45 points. They both contributed evenly to the scoring with Damian using his power to hit the greens and Taylor using his handicap to good effect. The runners-up were Kim Herbert and Stuart French (44 pts on c/b). Kim had the better part of the front-9 while Stuart was dominant on the back-9. They pipped the Rhodes/Kuntze pairing who had a few blemishes on the back-9. The winner of the individual event held in conjunction was Clayton Alley with 39 points, on count back from Niel Duncan. The NTP’s were: 9th – Oli Patterson; 18th – Kailab Tyne. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3 rd green, went to Peter Grayson with a shot to 477 cm. The ball sweep went to 42 pts on count back. Check in the Pro Shop if you are keen to find out.

The commencement of the ladies 2024 Competition took the main players away from the mid-week Stableford comp. WE shall keep this option open for any other players and gauge the support for it. The Summer Sixes comp Finals series is fast approaching the Grand Final weekend.

Some teams are producing some desperate scores to be in contention. Don’t forget to put your numbers in for the Presentation Dinner to be held after the Grand Final on Sun 24 March.

Contributed by Short Putt

IMAGES: A big thank you to Brian Collins Smash Repairs and Parkes Caravans for their ongoing sponsorship. Congratulations to all our winners.

The February Telescope Tyres / Hankook Masters Monthly Medal was played last Saturday March 2nd, with our day sponsor being Brian Collins Smash Repairs & Parkes Caravans. There were 81 players teeing it up off the blue tees.

In the A grade, pennants ace John Green turned in the best score of the day in the scratch with his 75 just holding out last month’s winner in James Ward with a 76 and Blake Parker with a 77. John plays his best golf early in the season when he’s battled hardened from the pennant’s season and swinging it well. A 3 over round off his 7 handicap on the day, meant it was going to be difficult to beat. A typical workman like card of 13 pars, 1 birdie and 4 bogeys showed his concentration was on song. James was a bit more erratic, though effective, with 3 birdies and 4 bogeys on the front 9 and only 2 bogeys and 7 pars on the back. Blake continues to get back to his best with an opening 4 bogeys then 2 birdies and 3 bogeys for the remainder of the holes. In the net event Jack Matthews hit the days best score with a 67 of his 11 handicap, beating home James and John both with 68’s.

Jack hasn’t been on the course regularly yet this year so this will inspire him.

In B grade Troy Thomson was in for a slice of his sponsorship pie with his 88 the best score in the scratch matched by Lindsay Elliott with Wayne Tucker posting an early 89. Troy had a 46/42 split so there is still plenty of improvement there, which he will be chasing. Going down in a countback, whilst not uncommon for Lindsay, wasn’t the best way to finish the round and his 43/45 gave a hint of tiredness for the veteran. Wayne had a 46/43 split and was looking for more holes at the finish. In the net event Mick Jeffress got back in the winners list with his 71 getting Troy on a countback stopping him picking up the rare double. Mick had an opening 50 and would have been looking for the clubhouse relief at halfway but had a scintillating 41 second 9, he’s hoping that’s signs of things to come.

This month the Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by Lindsay Elliott with 28 putts, showing the value of his short game in trying to catch Troy. The Norman family sponsored Wally Norman Vets Medal was taken out by Robert Rea with a 69 net.

Thanks to all those who competed and supported the Pennants sides this year and stayed tuned for the tee off times so we can get to Orange and support the players in the finals.

Last Saturday the competition was held was a 4BBB Par event, sponsored on the day by Highlands Design.

There was a good field of 63 players, who endeavoured to produce good scores despite the forecast of high temperatures.

The Winners on count back were Jack Dobell and Cody Banks. Their score of +8 was compiled through an average front-9 but hot back-9 by Jack. Runners up were Richard Smith and Paul Coulthard, also on +8. Paul played well throughout with Richard chiming in when needed.

The NTP’s were: 9th – Niel Duncan; 18th – Jacob Bernardi. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3 rd green, went to Niel Duncan with a shot to 140 cm. Despite the close shots the putting did not yield any results. The ball sweep went to +7. Check in the Pro Shop if you are keen to find out.

Many pairs combined to record a score below par. There were only two pairings who scored above par, one of which was a visitor.

Played in conjunction was an Individual Par event. This was won by Jack Dobell on +4 and again on count back but this time from Paul Coulthard (+4). The individual scores for this comp ranged quite markedly. Only a quarter of the field managed to score Par or better, with some players nearing double-figures over par.

On Sunday there was not enough for a comp in the Stableford Medley.

During the week there were a couple of players in the mid-Week 18-Hole Stableford event, but unfortunately not enough for a comp. But they played well and enjoyed themselves.

This Sunday the Club will be hosting the Men’s CWDGA Pennants. Consequently the course will be closed until 1 pm. Thereafter you can play your Stableford Medley, your Summer Sixes or a social game.

Short Putt

Steve Uphill follows through on his tee shot.

Last Saturday the Mens competition was the February Monthly Medal, sponsored by Terry bros Carpets. The field of 77 played in sunny and hot conditions, which was reflected in the hot scoring.

A-Grade was won by Todd Callaghan with 65 nett. A par front-9 was matched by a string of 4’s on the back to give him a 1-over scratch score. Runner-up was Marcus Inder with 67 nett. This was a follow up result from his win last month. He fired on the front-9 but had a couple of double-bogeys on the back-9.

B-Grade was won by Terry Griffiths with 68 nett, on count back from Brendan

Hayes. Both played well, with some minor hiccups, but it was Terry’s par on the last that proved the difference.

The C-Grade went to Bruce Chandler with a 65 nett. He was steady on both halves, with only one double-bogey on the card. The Runner-up was Nick Morrison with 69 who dropped a few on the back-9.

The NTP’s were: 9 th – Bob Borger; 18 th – Doug Churchill. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3 rd green, went to Les Little with a shot to 305 cms. The ball sweep went to 73 nett on c/b. Check in the Pro Shop if you are keen to find out.

Brief results for the Stableford Medley comps held through the break are: 24 Dec: Div 1 – D Earl (40 pts), T Morgan (39); Div 2 – P Grayson (36), M Simmonds (36).

30 Dec; Div 1 – L Grierson (40 pts), J Dobell (38); Div 2 – J Wright (38), F Hanns (36).

Contributed by Short Putt.