MEN'S GOLF
By SHORT PUTT
Last Saturday dawned with bright but chilly conditions to welcome the Forbes golfers. Some light rain overnight made the greens receptive to close shots which helped the players to warm up with good scores.
The event on Saturday was the Annual Can-Assist Charity Day, a 4-Person Medley Ambrose, with all proceeds going to the Forbes Can-Assist Support Group.
The field was down due to the onset of wintery conditions and the threat of rain, nevertheless the 102 players spread over 26 teams put much enthusiasm into their play and produced great results.
The presentation was run by H/Pro Will with assistance from John Shrader for Can-Assist. John thanked the many sponsors who had supported the event and thanked especially the golfers for their participation.
A balance is yet to be finalised but the money raised from the golf, sponsorship, raffles and ‘paid drives’ is upwards of $3000.
The best handicap score went to the team of Alister Carlisle, John Darcy, Jade Page and Ryan Dunn who finished with a nett 54.5. Starting on the 4th tee they had a couple of pars then scored three birdies in a row. They started the back-9 with a birdie and birdied the 15th before they stumbled with two bogeys.
On the way home they birdied the 2nd hole to finish with a scratch 68.
The handicap runners-up on 55.5 were Grant Tanter, Sam Sykes, Archie Quirk and James Grierson. They started on the 2nd hole and used James’ tee shot to record an opening birdie. This was the first of 11 birdies that coupled to no bogeys led to a scratch score of 61.
Other team prizes went to: 3rd – (55.75) Peter Dawson, Todd Callaghan, Nicole Death and Alison Hearn; 4th – (56.12) Clayton Alley, Paul Pymont, Michael Bayley and Liam Fraser; 5th – (56.75) Jonathon Cutler, Glen Hooper, Dave Cutler and Jerad Wooldridge.
The best scratch score went to the team of Caleb Hanrahan, Lee Grierson, Seb Tind Simmons and Seb Minehan with 58. They also started on the 2nd hole and used Caleb’s tee shot to start a run of seven birdies but the 9th yielded only a par.
They started the back-9 with a run of six birdies before a couple of pars and a birdie.
The final hole, on the 1st, returned a meagre par. It did take them 16 holes to get all required 3 tee shots per player and they did complain about only scoring a birdie on the 15th when they had a chance for an ‘eagle’.
The NTP’s went to: Ladies – 1st Nil, 3rd J Fletcher, 9th J Fletcher, 18th – S Grierson; Men - 1st D Burton, 3rd P Dawson, 9th D Burton, 18th D Mylecharane. Of those Jennifer, Daniel, Peter and Dave had their tee shots converted for 2’s.
There were twenty one 2’s overall with the 1st conceding only one from a Jacob Bernardi tee shot, while the other holes were evenly peppered.
The 3rd hole Super-Pin went to Ecky Dawson. He had started on the 11th hole so was well synced when he played the 3rd.
His shot finished at 110 cm and was well inside the only other name on the sheet. That person, playing their first tee shot of the day, recorded their proximity as ’40 ft’. That would seem to imply that those nine teams that followed and were before Ecky had terrible shots.
This Ambrose format, as demonstrated by the best scratch team, built upon the multiple opportunities to either play a good shot or to convert a putting opportunity.
But of course if all players fail to strike on the same shot then the team score can mount.
On Saturday there were a couple of teams at a disadvantage from the start.
Two teams only had three players and unfortunately both finished at the tail of the field despite some generous handicaps. But it is really not about shooting the lights out but is about having fun while contributing to a local community group.
The day was about having fun. One group did just that having the benefit of a modern take on the ‘boom box’ in their cart, a good proportion of refreshments on hand and some talent among the players. They were so relaxed that they scored brilliantly and took the Best Scratch honours. Perhaps it was their style of ‘LIV Golf.
One way for individual players to contribute was to ‘buy a drive’. Head Pro Will was stationed on the 10th tee and for a $5 donation he would hit a tee shot for you.
In all 45 players, both men and ladies, made the donation.
After an unpolished start where some shots resulted in a hook or a slight duff Will did get into his swing and powered some drives down the fairway.
One player was pleased to use the paid tee shot and advance to only 64 metres from the green. Unfortunately, Stevie G miss-hit the next shot.
A number of ladies ‘bought’ a drive which Will hit off the ladies tee. Try as he might Will did not quite make the green on these shots, with his best shot finishing barely a metre short of the green. On a dry day with mown grass it would easily have finished close to the pin.
Having good strategy is also important in this format. It is not always the longest shot that is the best option. A medley team used their noggin well, nominating the 7th, 8th, 13th and 17th holes off the Ladies tees as their drive. And it yielded dividends with an under par score on those holes. Their final score of scratch 70 was higher than hoped, but then maybe Max Haley’s chatter put them all off.
With the requirement to record three tee shots each some teams cruise through quite easily but others run things close to the wire.
One team was all done on their 13th hole but a couple of others extend to their 17th or 18th holes. That is pressure.
There were no fields for the Sunday or Monday Stableford Medleys. The squally weather and cold temperatures put most golfers off, although a few hardy souls were out there playing a social round.
Here is the news:
The Lachlan Valley District Championships and Pennants will be held at Trundle on Sun 15 June. We need good numbers to represent the Club in the Pennants teams. There is a nomination sheet in the Pro Shop or contact Steve Betland asap.
On the weekends of 21 and 28 June there will be the 4BBB Stroke and Foursomes Champs. Select your partner wisely.
Players are advised that they should receive their annual membership renewal Invoice this week. If you have any questions about it please contact the Secretary. And a reminder to either clear or reduce your Pro Shop account.
It is crystal ball time:
This Saturday 15 June, the event is the June Monthly Medal, sponsored by BWR Accountants and Advisors. Sunday has the usual Stableford Medley comp while the men will attend the LVDGA Pennants at Trundle.
VETS GOLF
The weather was kind for this time of the year, the course presented in excellent condition while the ‘sangers’ after were a hit to all who played in last week’s twin towns veterans golf competition staged in Parkes.
None were more so happy than local ace Nym Dziuba who was the only player to break handicap posting 38 points, getting the best of the challenging greens.
Larrikin Kim Herbert from Forbes filled runner-up with 35 points only after a count-back from fellow club member Ken Sanderson. Keeping it in the visitors family Les Little took home the encouragement award.
Nearest the pins, 4th A grade Nym Dziuba (P), B grade Frank Hanns (F), 11th A grade Don McKeowen (F), B grade Richard Hamilton (P).
As has been the case recently Forbes took out the twin towns shield with 198 points to Parkes 193.
Ball sweep winners – 35 points Ken Sanderson (F), 33 Tony Hendry (P), Ross Williams (F), Bruce Chandler (F), 32 Dave Keirie (Port Macquarie), 31 Richard Hamilton (P), Ian Ward (P), Don McKeowen (F), Andrew Norton-Knight (F), Alex Mackinnon (F), Frank Hanns (F).
Forbes host vets this week with noms from 9.30am for a 10m shot gun start.
After several majors recently the Forbes course is in excellent condition while the fire in the club and ‘sanger’ after is a welcome addition. Officials are hoping to build on the 23 which played last week.
On a sad note it has been revealed that one of the favourites in twin town vets golf Graham Cooke passed away Friday night. Graham wasn’t the flashiest golfer but more importantly a gentleman to all, loved and respected by everyone.
One of his fellow Parkes club members commented, “A simple man just living his life.” So true. At the time of print funeral details were unknown.
Last Tuesday’ social 12 hole winner in Forbes was the BG scribe Steve with 28 points from a host of others headed by Barry Shine two points in arrears and only one point from most others.
While the weather was a big chilly last week the coffee and ‘how good did I hit ‘em’ was a favourite after at the Van. You too can be part of Tuesday golf this week or after, all welcome for the ball toss at 9am.