PARKES GOLF By PETER BRISTOL On Saturday Parkes golfers competed for the Cheney Constructions – Josh Cheney sponsored – 4BBB trophy with an Individual in conjunction. Josh has been a keen supporter of PGC, though not getting much opportunity to chase the little white ball with family and work commitments – and a hint of Bathurst revheads as well. Huge thanks to Josh from the 63 players that went out in great conditions anticipating a good scoring round. The winning pair were regular playing partners Justin Middleton and Dylan Hood. Both these players have been hanging around the podium just waiting for the call up and it came on Saturday. The team scored a handsome 48 points and having posted that in the morning they had to await the last few cards to be finally announced the winners. They both had solid individual rounds with Justin a 39 and Dylan a 37. So, in the game where the best score on the hole is recorded it requires both players to be covering each other per hole they were the stars at that on the day. Team Matthews were next in 1 point behind with Craig pounding out a 40 point haul and Mel a 33 point round in support. There were 3 teams with 46 points in the bag and hoping that was going to hold but it fell short. Tony Hendry, surprising all and sundry, was able to back up from last week to fire another good round 37 to support old red markers himself, Joe Davies, with his 38 point round. The early morning girls in Marg Hogan and Frankie Cock were present in the washup and again just needing that 1 or 2 better finishes on the greens and the other unlucky pairing was Ken Keith and Luke Clyne who are also regular performers when the team events are on. In the Individual event, visitor from Duntry, Craig Keeley shot a very tidy 41 off his 7 handicap. His round was a 2 over front nine with an even par back to give him some stories to take back to his Orange teammates. Scott Winter and Craig Matthews were next in with their 40 points only 1 less error or one less putt away from top spot. Justin Middleton, John Pearce and Dave Brown shot great 39s on the day. The Nearest The Pins winners were – Bridgestone Mining 1st Mick Smith at 619cm, Griffins Leading Edge by Ken Keith at 21cm, Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Ron Hetherington at 93cm, the Westlime 11th by Dub Rogers at 198cm, the Parkes Security Storage 17th by Phil Bishop at 240cm. The lucrative money hole was won by Dub Rogers at 198cm. Ball winners were Tony Hendry and Joe Davies, Frankie Cock and Marg Hogan, Ken Keith and Luke Clyne 46, Nick Strudwick and Mick Smith, Aaron Wilkie and Greg Keeley 45. The 2025 Handiskins Final was staged on Sunday. With the rounds played earlier in the year the finalists have been eager to get into the final to get their hands on the breakup of prizemoney. The finalist this year were Richard Hutchinson, Trevor Chatman, Mel Matthews and Aaron Gaffey. Unfortunately for Aaron being the low marker in the final hasn’t had a great history and he had to give Richard and Trevor 5 shots and Mel 10 shots in the stableford event. The 1st hole was drawn and so there was a jackpot on the 2nd which Mel picked up. Then Trev kicked off his bounty on the next and Mel again got the next hole plus the nearest the pin. So, things were looking good for Mel and the boys were lagging. The next hole was drawn and the prizemoney had gone to $40 for the next when Aaron broke through. Again, the next hole was drawn followed by another Mel Matthew’s win. At this point the following crowd wondered if the Roosters fanatic was even playing but Richard was just biding his time and Trevor was also purring away in the background. Aaron again got his name on the sheet followed by 2 more Mel Matthew’s hole wins. The hole prizemoney per hole had increased and the pressure was being applied to all. There were then 3 drawn holes and the Rooster crowed! Hutcho picked up a $220 jackpot – and didn’t that take the pressure off him and the wind out of everyone else’s sails. The next hole was drawn and again the crowing was heard again as Richard strikes again. Aaron picks up the last hole and Handiskins for ’25 is done and dusted. Trevor Chatman could only gather $70, Aaron picked up $150, Mel worked hard for $230 and the brown bag of cash went to Richard with $350. A great final and congratulations for the 4 making the final and battling it out. This weekend is the Men’s 27 hole Foursomes Championships which will be an interesting event and should be an exciting finish depending on the final mix of pairings when entries close. There is a scratch and net event across grades so plenty of opportunity to get the great SafeTasks QRS Group and the Littlewood family trophies. VETERANS GOLF The home ground advantage certainly was to the front last Thursday as the Lachlan Valley Veteran Golfers Association conducted their 2025 championships in conjunction with the monthly 18 hole competition. Condobolin hosted 64 players where the one trophy rule applied resulting in several count-backs prior to presentations. However, all players were rewarded with Condobolin noted for the best servings of morning tea then lunch again rated five stars. Highly fancied Condobolin player Brad Hurley was sent out favourite in A grade scratch and did not disappoint finishing five over par 77. He had a two shot advantage over club-mate Ian Myors as runner-up on a count-back from Forbes’ Steve Uphill. In B grade it was no different where larrikin Jimmy Clyburn from the host club took scratch honours with 90 off the stick while runner-up was Adam Andrews from Forbes with 94 after a three-way count-back which included Forbes’ John Milton. In handicap Steve Uphill won A grade with 68 nett from Steve Grace (Grenfell) next best 69. In B grade Mark Thorpe (Condobolin) was best with 67 nett from Don Geddes (West Wyalong) 69 on a count-back. In the three best individual scores from each club Condobolin scraped home with 117 from Grenfell 115, Forbes and West Wyalong 110 then Parkes on 88. In the monthly LVGA 18 hole competition A grade was taken out by Ned Kelly from West Wyalong with 37 points. Runner-up Bec Hurley (Condobolin) with 36 in a four-way count-back. In B grade it was all Condobolin with Greg McCumstie best on 42 points from Col Hope 40. Ball sweep to 34 points. Players from Forbes to collect. 36 points Barry Shine, 35 Bruce Chandler, John Milton, 34 Kim Herbert, Peter Barnes, Mick Prior. While no Parkes had a collect in the sweep they had success in nearest the pins, both in A grade. At the 11th Dan Ward, at the 6th Nym Dziuba. Forbes host the twin towns on Thursday, nominations from 9am for a 9.30am shotgun start. Upcoming dates for the diary - next LVGA 18 hole comp and last for 2025 will be held in West Wyalong on 13 November. On the local scene the twin towns Christmas Party will be held in Forbes on Thursday December 4 which will be followed by a 2-ball ambrose two weeks later played in Forbes on Thursday 18. Organiser Allan Rees is currently seeking a sponsor but regardless it will be played after a rousing success last year with players selecting their playing partner. Last Tuesday 24 points was popular with four players finishing equal where the extended count-back had Jeff Moon coming out on top from Peter Barnes, Neil Herbert and Barry Shine. Tuesday proved popular again with 13 players last week where if wanting to play be at the club by 9am, no late. On a sad note Forbes and district golf lost a valued Life Member with the passing of Rod Besgrove on Sunday morning. While not the longest hitter of the ball, Rod could score with his uncanny touch around and on the greens. He loved his ‘Resch’s Refreshers” and will be sorely missed. Our condolences to the entire Besgrove family, partners and friends.
