Renowned local sporting identity Wayne Tucker proved too strong for the field as he returned a solid 39 points to edge out Brent Timmins on a countback with Tucker coming home the final 9 holes in a great 3 under par off his 19 handicap to record 21 points while Timmins was equally impressive with 20 points.

When learning of his victory the jubilant Tucker congratulated his fellow golfers as well as heaping praise on the sponsors for their support of sport in the Parkes community.

Ball winners from Saturday’s competition went to 39 Brent Timmins, 38 Matt Lawryk, Ian Phipps, Wayne Parker and Laurie Wakefield, 37 Peter Collins and Cody Hando, 36 Kasey Fay-Rice, Todd Jayet and Robert Hey, 35 Dub Rodgers, Michael Smith, Luke Clarke, Phil Bishop and Ron Hetherington.

In the Nearest the Pin awards Colleen Flynn took the spoils on the Idlerite Tyrepower 1st Hole at 286cms.

Ken Cobcroft got the first of a double with a Tee Shot that finished just 180cms away on the Griffins Leading Edge sponsored 4th Hole.

The shot proved beneficial as it allowed him to take home the Money Hole award as well.

Cobcroft also recorded victory on the PJL Groups 18th Hole in 2 shots when his wedge came to rest 110cms from the flag.

Luke Clarke’s short game was to the fore on the Dirt Doctor Landscaping 6th Hole as his 7 iron finished just 300cms from the pin while Bret Timmins wasn’t to be intimidated by his playing partner as he took out the Harvey Norman sponsored 11th Hole at 210cms and on the final Par 3 the difficult Westlime sponsored 15th Hole it was visitor Peter Collins who came closest at just 311cms.

The day’s final award the Nearest the Pins in two shots on the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th Hole saw Matt Lawryk victorious at 485cms after a well struck 7 iron.

BALL WINNERS

Members are advised that effective immediately that any golf ball won during Saturday competitions must be collected from the Pro Shop which is now in operation under Professional Daniel Newton.

LADIES NEWS

The 2016 Ladies golfing season will commence this Wednesday when Ladies Match Committee member Colleen Flynn sponsors an 18 Hole Stableford event with a shotgun start for the event to take place at 9.30am.

Following golf the Ladies will enjoy a light luncheon and ladies are requested to bring a plate full of sumptuous delights.

The ladies are also reminded that the 2016 Golf Programme Booklets are available at the club as are the Membership Cards which now incorporate your Golflink number.

In other Ladies news the ladies will contest their annual Championships commencing on Saturday, September 2 and the programmed 72 holes of these titles are listed for 18 holes on the consecutive weekends.

Finally, the club’s Official Opening Day will be conducted on Saturday March 11 with the Coachman Hotel/Motel sponsoring the 18 Hole 4Ball Medley Stableford event with shotgun starts at 8am and 12.30pm. Following golf and presentations the club will provide a complimentary pizza meal to all players.

GOLF TUITION

The club, along with professional Daniel Newton, is arranging to conduct coaching classes for ladies and senior men under Golf NSW incentives to encourage more ladies and men to get into golf.

Details of the proposed classes will be released once all arrangements have been finalised and members are urged to encourage both friends and families to become involved.

PENNANTS

After receiving a bye last week the Parkes club is well positioned to reach the semi-finals in all four Divisions with the Division 1 side guaranteed a position despite having a match in hand against Bathurst this week at Forbes.

Meanwhile the Division 2 side will play Cowra and are strongly favoured in the match which will see them finish top of the table in that division.

The Division 3 side are also guaranteed a semi-final spot as they play cellar dwellers Bathurst and in Division 4 the local side requires to win all of its matches to force its way into the semi-finals at the expense of Forbes as Parkes’s disastrous loss to Cowra could have a drastic effect.

Selectors have virtually named unchanged sides for this week’s matches at Forbes with the Division 1 side comprising Justin Sutton, Mitch McGlashan, Robert Hey, Peter Dixon and Joey Van Opynen.

The Division 2 side is Phil Barnard, Mark Kelly, Tim Burke, Steve Edmonds, Denis Howard and Tom Casey while Colin Barker, Peter Bristol, Tony Hendry, Jake Hodge and Richard Hutchison make up the Division 3 team.

In Division 4 despite a few absences it appears as though Rod Kiley, Ron Hetherington, Garry Phipps, Luke Greenwood and Tony Evans will do battle in a do or die effort.

WEEKEND’S GOLF

This Saturday members will contest the Telescope Tyres & Batteries March Monthly Medal in A, B and C grades with local accountancy firm Peter Woods & Associates supplying the trophies in the Handicap Sections.

Griffins Leading Edge with sponsor the Putting competition which will be played in conjunction and as an added bonus members also get to contest the qualifying round for the McDermott Cup which sees the leading 16 players from the handicap event qualify and as a further bonus it’s also the first qualifying round of the Cunningham’s IGA Supermarket Scratch Shootout.

Meanwhile the Ladies will contest an 18 Hole Stableford for Denise Charlton’s trophy and the event is also the 1st Round of the Ethel Kenyon Memorial trophy.