After a long and anxious wait our members finally got to have a hit on the new revamped layout in the Telescope Tyres and Batteries / Hankook Masters sponsored Monthly Medal with our day sponsor being Matthews Mediation and our genuine thanks go to Mel Matthews for the support she gives the club via many means. It was also the day we celebrated the Bob Smith Memorial Day supported by the Smith family and we thank Mick and the family.

Everyone hit off the traditional 1 st hole and it was great to see the whole course covered in players and some of the new tees bringing players closer together during play than they have ever been.

There was a southerly blowing which was causing some chill in the air but that didn’t deter the golfing fraternity. Our best field for some considerable time with 122 players eager to test themselves and the new course but there were only 4 players breaking 80 this week and 42 golfers breaking 100, so round 1 definitely went to the course.

The honour of hitting the first ball on the course went to Lindsay Elliott and he and his group enjoyed the rare feat of playing the first competition round on the course. Coincidently Lindsay must have been overly pumped with the opportunity, as he hit shot only 3.5m from the pin and that shot lasted all day as he won the nearest the pin – I’m sure that story will be embellished over the years to come.

In A Grade Jack Elliott signalled his early favouritism for the club championships with a solid 77 off the stick to narrowly beat home Michael Dumesny by a stroke. This was just a 1 over his handicap round for Jack and with his long hitting game, which was required off the long blue markers, this was a great first outing. A big day for the Elliott family. Michael Dumesny has been making the A grade medals his realm this year and again was the clubhouse leader for a sustained period. Justin O’Malley from the Federal GC and the ever present Wayne Parker were the only others below 80. In the nett event Joe Van Opynen was out and about with a solid 70 with Jack Matthews and Wayne Parker back on 72.

This month the competitive Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by Jack Elliott with 25 putts. Although there was some speed difference on the greens on their first outing they were true and will be a handful once they speed up. The Norman family sponsored Wally Norman Vets Medal was taken out by Wayne Parker with his 72 nett, making sure he got something on the day.

This coming week we have on Friday a 9 and 18 Hole Medley Stableford Sponsored by ProKonnect, the ‘Shootout’ Sponsored by Cameron Standen, Saturday an 18 Hole EPIROC 4BBB Stableford and on Sunday- 27 Hole SCT Parkes Open Tournament.

Last Saturday Forbes golfers played a 4BBB Stableford Medley event, sponsored by Cahill’s Footwear. The field comprised of 66 players who produced some good scores.

The Winners were the pairing of Ken Sly and Matt Walton. Matt could do no wrong, while Ken contributed with some timely scores. Runners-up were Phil Duke and Fons Melisi with 45 points. They each contributed well but a couple of one pointers did not help.

The NTP’s went to: 9th Men: S Kirkman, Ladies: B Duncan; 18th Men: C Hanrahan, Ladies: S Black. The Pro Shop Super-pin went to Brianna Duncan with a shot to 1.65 metres. The ball sweep went to 41 points, so check in the Pro Shop.

The visitors included Peter Chatillon (Tuncurry GC), Charlie Goodsell (Parkes) and John Zannes (Bathurst), all of whom needed better partners.

On Sunday the new format 9-Hole Stableford Medley comps was contested over the

front-9 by eight players. The winner was Brianna Duncan (18 pts) with Wayne O’Niell getting a ball in the ball sweep on count back from Jake LeBrocque when both finished on 16 pts.

Two special events are on the horizon with the Elders Golf Day on Friday 22nd September and Roylances Cup on Saturday 23rd September, raising funds for Can-Assist. Contact the Pro Shop for details.

Head Pro Will has organised a Titleist Equipment day on Wednesday 27th September. 

Summer 6’s is here! Get a team together for the 2023/24 Summer 6’s competition. Registration forms are now available.

This weekend the mens comp is a 4BBB Stableford Multiplier event, sponsored by Forbes Tuesday Golfers.

By Short Putt

Last Saturday we contested an 18 Individual Stableford, sponsored by MRK Development run by Matthew Knighton, a great supporter of our club and one who is fast becoming another golfing tragic. It was a great day to be out amongst nature for a walk, a talk and some challenges with the little white ball, with 76 golfers enjoying the beautiful weather.

Leading the list this week was Graham Cooke who has been in consistent form of late but dug deeper to come out on top beating home probably the clubs most consistent and better performed golfers this year in Wayne Parker on a countback with his score of 39. Graham is a very dangerous contender in the Veterans competition week in and week out and he managed to change his emphasis to Saturday after missing out in his regular Thursday competition. And Wayne Parker, what a year he is having, the swing has returned to his halcyon younger days when he reigned supreme over the PGC. He will be a good one to put into the black book for the net event at the upcoming Parkes Open.

Five golfers chased home the leaders falling short by one stroke. Peter Boschman is also looking in peak condition and starting to hit the ball reasonably well, Ross Smith, who has to get his name in the paper to give himself something to read, Lindsay Elliott, who is just getting pipped each week and is ready to win a big one, Rob Lea who just returned from an extended Qld adventure and is revving up for a strong performance in the Open and Steve Edmonds who has been trying to keep a low profile as he hones up for a crack at the big contenders.

This week sees the culmination of an extended period of revamping of the course undertaken in combination with the highway bypass running on the western side of the course. Locals will get to play their September Monthly Medal on the new holes which will no doubt challenge but also amaze them as we get the opportunity to play a continuous 18 holes of golf. The Board is most appreciative of the patience and support of members and also the work undertaken by members to get the course in play. We will get a taste on Saturday to feel what challenges lie for the Parkes Open on Sunday 17th September when players from all over the state will converge on Parkes to test themselves against the great layout.

Come and get involved this week for the Telescope Tyres And Batteries/Hankook Monthly Medal with day sponsor, Matthews Mediation. It will incorporate the Griffins Leading Edge Putting Competition in conjunction which will blow out on the new greens you’d expect, Wally Norman Memorial Veterans Medal, and also this year the Bob Smith Memorial Day – 18 hole and 9 hole medley stableford competition sponsored by the Smith family.