Once again the annual Forbes Classic, sponsored by Frank Spice Nissan, was a success with over 150 players competing on each day of the weekend. Players from 37 clubs participated, with some coming from Queensland and West Australia to enjoy the course.
The crowning glory was the win by local player Peter Nixon, the defending champion from 2017’s event. Peter finished the Individual A-Grade Stroke event, held on Sunday, with 71 scratch, skipping ahead of another local Steve Betland (72) and Graham Howland (73) from Dunheved GC in Sydney. Peter turned square with the card and finished his round with a ‘2’ on the last hole.
The B-Grade Scratch winner was Josh Coulthurst (Forbes) who blistered around in 81, off an 18 handicap. He was three shots ahead of Ken Sanderson and Scott Kirkman, both from Forbes. The C-Grade Scratch winner was Tony Stevens (89) from Palm Meadows, near Surfer’s Paradise in Queensland. Runner-up was our own Bruce Squires on 93.
Prizes were awarded to Handicap and Stableford winners and runners-up, as well as the popular NTP’s and Long drives. Peter McDade (Lismore) nearly had the perfect shot on the 9th when his ball finished only inches from the hole.
On Saturday the Classic comp was a 4BBB Stableford. The winners there were Peter Sinclair (Nelson Bays) and Keith McCulloch (Riverside Oaks) with 48 points. Runnersup, sadly on count back, were Phil Duke (Forbes) and Tim O’Malley (Tumut). The full prize list is available in the Pro Shop.
Generally though, Forbes players had success at the top of the grades while many of the visitors scored better than the locals through the body of the grades. All players enjoyed the course and the greens, with acknowledgement to Jack and Darren Clarke and the volunteers who got the course ready.
By Short Putt