Ken Sly showing good form as he watches his tee shot.

The Men’s competition on Saturday, 30 May was an Individual Stroke event, sponsored by the Country Mile Motor Inn, and played by a large field of 95 which shows support for the sport. The Division 1 winner was Ethan Gaffney, scoring a 72 nett. Michael Spice, with 73 nett, won the race for the Runner-up after a count back against four other players. Division 2 was won by Robert Scott with 69 nett, over a newcomer Riley Pike with 70 nett. Robert was pleased to show form again, and Riley is dreading his imminent handicap drop.

The ball sweep went to 77 nett on count back. With the large field there were 27 balls distributed so players are urged to check in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to: 9th – L O’Connor and 18th – D Churchill. Neither player got their ‘2’, of which there were only seven over-all.

Forbes golfers welcomed visitors Michael O’Malley from Catalina on the Central Coast, William Clayton from Bowral, Geoff Stephens from Dubbo, and Ian Wark and Neigel Tait from Yowani on the Gold Coast. One unfortunate player had to walk the last eight holes when his cart died.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had good support and the winner was Bess Shields with 39 points. Runner-up was Michael Wood with 32 points. The ball sweep went to E Coombs and B Drabsch but once again no NTP’s were contested.

Players are reminded to check their score cards carefully before ‘okaying’ the scan. Keep the cards clean and tidy and avoid letting the signature encroach onto the last few cards.

With a relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions there is now little need to change the programme dramatically, other than for any intense weather events. Players shall be notified if there are any changes.

Saturday, 6 June will not be the ‘CanAssist Day’ and will instead be a Stableford event. Stableford Medley’s are scheduled for Sunday and Monday.

Keep in touch on the Facebook page forbesgolfcourse, the Instagram page forbesgolf2871, and our website www.forbesgolf.org.au.

By Short Putt

Jacob Bernardi tees off in a group of four with Joshua Coulthurst, Andrew Dukes and Kim Herbert.

Beautiful conditions helped all 88 golfers to enjoy their return to group golfing, just in time for the Men’s 4BBB Stableford event, sponsored by Forbes Livestock & Agency.

The winners, on count back, were Jeff and Max Haley with 46 points. Runners-up were Neil and Cam McMillan, whose 46 points came on the back of a very fine round by Cam, who shot a 69 scratch.

The ball sweep went to 40 points on count back. Players are advised to check in the Pro Shop to see if they are to collect a ball. The NTP’s went to Jeff Haley and Alf Davies. The best ‘2’ was a chip-in on the 3rd by Neil McMillan.

The best score of the day was played by John Betland, with a 65 scratch. His team was ousted from prizes by handicap. Another good effort was the eagle ‘3’ scored by Jonathon Cutler on the 15th hole.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had some good scores. Andrew Dukes won with 38 points, followed by Barbara Drabsch on 33 points.

The ball sweep went to 31 points, picked up by Jill Cripps. No NTP’s were played.

In the fourth week of the Winter 9-Hole Individual competition, 38 players posted some consistently good scores. Voucher winners were Riley Pike with 32 nett, and Corey Hurford with 34.5 nett. The balls went to 34 nett on count back.

On Tuesday 12 May, 20 players enjoyed the Tuesday Golfers social play, still in pairs. The winner was Viv Russell with 32 points followed by Andrew McDonald on 30 points as runner-up.

The Thursday Veterans had 19 players, again in pairs. The winner was John Smith on 31 points, ahead of Geoff Drane on 28 points. Both picked up vouchers. A sad story was the loss of a wallet by Graham Newport. He quickly cancelled credit cards and arranged for a new driver’s licence. A few days later the wallet was found in Barry Shine’s bag. Figure that one out.

By Short Putt

Shane Sallaway preparing to start his round.

Sunshine and scattered showers greeted the Forbes golfers on the weekend, with 87 players contesting the Men’s 18 Hole Stroke event on Saturday, 9th May, spon- sored by B&C Autos.

Division 1 saw Charlie Dwyer keep good form to win with 70 nett, ahead of Brian Doyle with 71 nett. Division 2 was won by Jack Dobell with 67 nett. Division 2 Runner-up was Ross Williams with 70 nett, on count back from Peter Tisdell.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was surprising at the low scores, perhaps due to the cutting breeze. Michael Wood won with 30 points, closely followed by John Betland on 29 points. The ball sweep went to 28 points, with Laurie O’Connor the lucky player. No NTP’s were played.

On Tuesday, 5th May 20 players enjoyed the sunshine in the Tuesday Golfers social play. The surprise winner on the day was Neale Herbert with a very fine 32 points. Brian Clarke with 31 points was runner-up.

Geoff Drane skipped his tee shot on the 9th across the water and onto the green, and finished with a par.

The third week of the Winter 9 Hole Individual Nett competition saw 47 players participate. Voucher winners were Denis McGroder and Warren Baxter. The balls went to 37 nett on count back so check in the Pro Shop for details of the 14 lucky players to get one.

By Short Putt

John Ridley watches as Stuart Thomas chips to the ninth green.

Forbes golfers continue to enjoy both the sunny conditions and the course condition, with 88 players contesting the Men’s com- petition on Saturday, 25th April, sponsored by LINX.

Division One had Ethan Gaffney rocet ahead with a nett 59, due more to his powerful tee to green play. Runner-up was Martin Cahill with 64 nett, on count back from Doug Churchill. Division Two was won by John Ridley with 63 nett, and on count back from Bede Tooth.

The ball sweep went to 70 nett on count back, again, with 26 players collecting balls. Check in the Pro Shop to see if you were successful.

Good to see Merv Lowing, a recently joined member from Orbost, have a good round. Good to see Alf Watts getting some practice in too. Current arrangements make it difficult for our ‘plus’ golfers to rise to the top, but good scores were returned by John Betland, gross 65 and Ben Gear, gross 67.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was quiet, with Warwick Wright of Parkes winning on 40 points.

On Tuesday, a field of 13 players zipped around the course. The results saw winners Geoff Drane and Barry Parker scoring 31 points. John Whatmore managed to anchor all the other scores.

The Thursday Vets had another roll-up day, in which 13 players participated. Of the scores reported the best was Tom Edols with 26 points. Next week the Vets will run a $3 competition, with ‘Winner-takes- all.’

The first week of the Winter 9-Hole Individual Nett competition saw a brace of low scores from the 39 players. The Voucher winners were, D McGroder with 30.5 nett and A M Gaffney with 30 nett.

Changes have had to be made to the Men’s and Ladies Competition Programmes, so check at the Pro Shop to see what is on.

By Short Putt

Merv Lowing of Orbost enjoying his golf as he waits for travel restrictions to lift.

Golfers in and around Forbes are lucky to be able to participate in their favourite exercise and were lucky over the last week to enjoy some sunny autumn weather.

In the Men’s competition on Saturday 18 April, an Individual Stroke sponsored by Forbes TV and Video Repairs, 78 players filled the allotted tee time and produced high scores.

Division One saw Anthony Alley the winner with nett 60, but on count back from Max Haley. Both scored well however, Max was disturbed by a ‘7’ on the 16th. Division Two also needed a count back. This time it was Robert Scott with 66 nett ahead of Lachlan Alley.

A warm welcome to Lee Grierson, staying here while University is closed, and to Merv Lowing, from Orbost, who is stuck here because of travel restrictions. Both players enjoyed the course, although Merv did not have the best of rounds.

The Tuesday golf saw a good field, with Ted Morgan declared winner on count back from Brian Clark, where both finished on 31 points for their 12 holes. Brian was looking good to be the first in the history of this competition to be a back-to-back winner, but alas it was not so. Geoff Drane was third with 30 points.

Todd Callaghan ready for a solid round. John Betland in the background.

The golf course was very wet due to the welcome rains but that did not stop John Betland from posting another faultless round to win the A grade Monthly Medal stroke event last Saturday, sponsored by Terry Bros Carpets. Power and touch resulted in 66 nett to win from Jacob Bernardi on a countback.

Tony Wallace hasn’t been seen on the course much lately but he ‘fleeced’ his mates scoring the round of the day, 64 nett in B grade. Doug Churchill runner-up with 67 nett. In C grade, Bede Tooth with 66 nett was winner from Jack Dobell 67 nett.

Due to Coronavirus regulations there were no nearest the pins, while ball sweep winners included, 66 nett Ethan Gaffney, 68 nett Lee Grierson, who is home from study in Wollongong, Jeff Haley, Stuart French, Brett Thomas, Phil Maher, 69 nett Ben Robinson, Todd Callaghan, Peter Dawson, Shane Sallaway, Charlie Dwyer, Ross Williams, Max Haley, 70 on a c/b Brian Everest.

Sunday was the final of the Summer Sixes competition. Grand final winners were Forbes Automotive Services consisting of Jack Dobell, Kyle Biles, Kallum Tyne, Jon Cutler, Nick Ryan and Brad McMillan with a score 94.5 from EHAG 98.5, Pro Shop Dream Team 100 and Flip Floppers 104.

Despite distance and health regulations concerning COVID-19 there is still plenty to keep all regular golfers on course including a hit from 9.30am with regular Tuesday social players. The same for veteran social players on Thursday with tee off around 10am and then the weekend competitions.

One very important message to all, listen to what is being said when paying green fees at the window of the Pro Shop. These instructions are vital to golf being played in the coming weeks and months.