Conroy and Kelly crushed the excellent field of 41 pairs when they combined to record a mammoth 49 points to finish three shots clear of runners up Robert Cheney and Dave Stevenson.

The victory saw the leaders combine superbly as they achieved a great 24 points on the front nine holes and then added a further seven three-pointers and two holes of two points in accumulating their whopping 49 points. 

In accepting the Don Smith Memorial Shield from Daryl Smith, Kelly stated that they were ecstatic in accepting it for the second occasion. 

For the men there is only more agony, as the victors have already stated they will be back to defend the title in 2015.

Prior to the presentation of trophies, both Club President Ross Smith and Captain Paul Thomas emphasised the outstanding contribution that the late Don Smith had achieved as a member of the Parkes Golf Club which eventually saw him awarded the honour of Life Membership.

Don’s two children, Darrell and Jenny, and the Smith family were at the club to mark the occasion. 

Darrell stated it was an absolute honour and pleasure to speak on behalf of his late father and he thanked the club for their thoughts and commitment in honouring his beloved father.

Judy McCabe on behalf of Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete awarded the day’s trophies and said she had the pleasure of playing with the winners. 

While they didn’t know how they had finished, they were excited with their score. 

McCabe stated that her business would continue to sponsor the event.

In another mark of remembrance, Don’s former playing partners Rick Glover, Ron Klein, Garry Phillips and Joe Goodie sponsored a sideline event for left handed golfers that saw Graham Cooke with 40 points named the winner. 

On behalf of his fellow sponsors, Rick Glover stated that the event would become an annual award on the day.

Ball winners were 46 Robert Cheney and David Stevenson, 45 Ken Cobcroft and Michael Kable, and Robert Hey and Graham Cooke, 44 Rick Glover and Joe Goodie, Vince Kelly and Sue Holman, Troy Hopley and Michael Hopley, and Robert Hey and Wayne Powter. 

Surviving the countback on 43 were Wayne Parker and Ross Smith. 

In the nearest the pins, the sharpshooter’s were certainly in action again as Bill Warren took out the Idlerite Tyrepower sponsored 1st hole at 590cm. 

Ross Smith birdied the Griffins Leading Edge 4th hole from just 204cm after a superb 5-iron while Robert Cheney birdied the Dirt Doctor Landscaping 6th hole after a superb 7-iron finished 258cm from the pin. 

On the Harvey Norman 11th hole, Peter Magill once again missed a golden birdie chance when his putt lipped the hole after he finished 194cm away. 

On the final par three, the difficult Westlime sponsored 15th hole, Sam Turner managed an easy birdie after a solid 7-iron finished just 100cm from the pin. 

On the best-in-two-shot final holes of each nine, Peter Boschman dominated on the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th hole when he hit a glorious 8-iron to just 284cm of the pin. 

On the Parkes Heavy Mechanical Repairs 18th hole, Ian Phipps survived all challengers when he fired his wedge to just 162cm in recording a birdie as both players claimed two balls each.

HANDISKINS QUALIFYING

Members also contested the final qualifying round of the Handiskins Skins competition. 

It was lady golfer Kaye Jones who heads the qualifiers list when her best three of the five rounds saw her amass 114 points. 

Closely behind Jones was the fast finishing Robert Cheney on 112 with Troy Hopley in third place just one point back. 

Rounding out the finalists is junior golfer Sam Turner on 110 points.

The final will be played on Sunday, August 31, commencing at 9am. 

It will see these four players attempting to win part of the $1200 prize pool. 

They all play the 18 holes with each hole having varying amounts of prize money up for grabs. 

If a hole is squared the jackpot carries forward to the next hole or until it is won.

A hole is won by the player who records the best nett score.

Parkes Captain Paul Thomas stated that this was the first year the club had participated in this style of competition and from the interest shown, it definitely won’t be the last.

PYBAR CHALLENGE

The following players have all qualified for the final of the Pybar Handicap Challenge which will be contested on Sunday, September 14, commencing at 9am.

All players who are listed must complete the acceptance letter which is available at the clubhouse.

The players in order of qualification are Jim Buckley, Sam Turner, Troy Hopley, Robert Cheney, Graham Cooke, Graham Turner, Phil Barnard, Wayne Powter, Tom Medcalf, Michael Mitchelson, Glen Buesnell, Brien McPhee, Colin Barker, Allan Jewell, David Stevenson, Roger Larsen, Brian Hogan Snr, John Green and Vince Kelly.

The reserves in order are Mike Wood, Paul Morgan, Ron Klein, Mark Job and Peter Dixon.

Players are advised that acceptance letters must be returned to the club prior to 5pm on Friday, August 29. 

Any player who hasn’t accepted by this date will be replaced by one of the reserves.

OPEN TOURNAMENT

Nominations are now open for the annual SCT Parkes Open Tournament weekend. 

The entries must be on the official entry form which is available at the club or from the club’s website. 

They must be accompanied with the appropriate fee.

All members are advised that entries for the prelude event, the Atlas Copco Open Fourball Best Ball must also be done on the entry form. 

Any players who wish to book a golf cart or who would like to tee off at a particular time must note this on the entry form.

There will be no booking of carts directly with the club as normally is the case.

Entries close for this event at 5pm on Friday, September 5, or once the field is full.

RULE OF THE WEEK

David’s ball lies on the green. 

Prior to putting, can David repair the bird damage on his line of putt?

Answer: no under definitions – Abnormal Ground Conditions.

Bird damage is an abnormal ground condition and cannot be repaired prior to putting.

However if a ball is on the green, a player is entitled to free relief from an abnormal ground condition if it intervenes on the line of his putt. 

They may place their ball at the nearest point that avoids the bird damage. 

This point may be off the green, in which case the ball must still be placed, not dropped. 

If the ball originally lies off the green, the player is not entitled to repair bird damage on the green or to take relief if it intervenes on his line of play.