The Saturday Men’s competition was the February Monthly Medal, sponsored by Terry Bros Carpets, with 65 players looking to do well. The winning scores were quite low. 

The A-Grade was won by Scott Kirkman with 67 nett, on count back from Alf Davies. 

The B-Grade went to Warwick Judge with 68 nett, whose par run to finish kept runner-up Kailab Tyne (69) at bay. 

The C-Grade was won by Frank Donohoe who had the ‘Midas touch’ on the greens. His score was the lowest of the day, helped by an almost hole out on the 18th that earned him the NTP. Runner-up was Lachlan Alley on 67 nett. 

The NTP’s went to: 9th, Alf Davies, 18th, F. Donohoe. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3rd green, went to Brendan Hayes with a wide shot to 3.6 metres. The ball sweep went to 72 nett on count back. More than half the field finished on par or better, making for some happy golfers. 

On Sunday the Forbes club hosted the CWDGA Pennants, with three of the home club teams competing. The field of 80 players teed off in cool conditions and enjoyed. the balmy weather throughout the day. 

All Forbes teams tasted success with the Div-1 trouncing Bathurst, 5-0. The Div-3 dominant against Mudgee 4-1, and the Div- 4 narrowly beating Duntryleague 3-2. They play at Bathurst next week. 

On Saturday, 11th February the competition is an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical. Sunday, 5th February has a Stableford Medley. The Mizuno Equipment Day on 16th February is booked out but contact Adam to express your interest and be ‘reserve’. 

The Saturday Men’s competition was an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Rob Allen Transport. Division 1 was won by Barry Shine (44 pts). 

Runner-up was Jason Mallon (41 pts). Division 2 was won by Jonathon Cutler (45 pts) with the best score of the day. Runner-up was Seb Simmons, his front-9 was his standout. 

The NTP’s went to 9th B Clarke and 18th R Murray. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3rd green, went to Neil McMillan with a shot to 1.04 metres. It was close enough for a kick-in. The ball sweep went to 37 pts on count back. 

With the 2023 season underway, last Saturday saw 76 players contest the first round of the BWR Summer Competition. Our thanks to Brett and Cathy and the team from BWR Accountants and Advisors for their ongoing support. 

Whilst the weather has turned back to our normal summer conditions the course is holding up thus far.

The leading players in this week were a few of our club stalwarts. Colleen Flynn found 44 points and some form in her golf bag. Colleen managed to finish 1 point in front of Ian Phipps, he fired a 76 off the stick. Next in was Bob Barter who managed a solid 42 points. 

There were a host of players on 39 Richard Hamilton, Dub Rodgers, Robert Rea, Blake Smith, David Speakman and Mark Wright. Aaron Wilkie hitting a par round 72, with Blake Smith hitting a 75 and Andy Brownlow from Peak Hill a 76 and Michael Thomas a 79.

The Nearest The Pins this week were – on the Harvey Norman 2nd/11th won by Ian Phipps at 98cm, the Westlime 6th/15th won by Peter Picker at 352cm and the 9th/18th won by Peter Magill at 32cm. Ian picked up the prize at 150cm this week. 

Ball winners were Bob Barter 42, Richard Hamilton, Rob Rea, Dub Rodgers, Mark Wright, Blake Smith, David Speakman 39, Judith Fisher, Usman Cheema, Wayne Tucker, Nick Strudwick 38.

Our first Telescope Tyres and Batteries Hankook Masters Monthly Medal was conducted on Saturday, 7th January with the daily sponsor being the Parkes Service Club.

In A Grade Robert Hey, 1 over par 73. Jack Elliott and Aaron Wilkie only 1 shot behind. Riall Harrison with a 78. Other notables shooting 78’s were Grady Magill and ex-President and Captain Mark Kelly. In the nett event Rob Hey with his 66 nett hard to reach for the A graders although Grady and Mark fired 67’s.

In B Grade James Ward hit 86 to beat Ian Hendry and brother Tony who came in with 87’s. In the nett event Dub Rodgers had a 69 nett to beat Beau Tanswell, with Nym Dziuba and Ian Phipps a stroke back.

In C Grade Peter Picker had a very good round of 87 beating Trevor Chatman by a shot and a further shot back to Finne Latu. In the nett event Peter’s 67 nett thus picking up the double. He beat in Trevor and also Finne just one stroke back.

The Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was taken out by Aaron Wilkie on 25 putts and the Wally Norman Vets Medal was won by Ian Phipps on 70 nett.

The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were; the Harvey Norman 11th by David Stevenson on 188cm, the Westlime 15th by Trevor Chatman on 295cm and the Central West Glass 18th Mark Wrightcm. The lucrative 11th hole was won by David Stevenson at 188cm this week.

Ball winners were Grady Magill, Mark Kelly 67, C.Muller, Trevor Chatman, Finne Latu 68, Mark Wright, Judy Fisher, Beau Tanswell 69.

The weather for outdoor activity was once again inviting to all, be they cricketers, surfers or golfers. The Forbes golfers took every advantage of the comfortable conditions and acquitted themselves well.

The Saturday Men’s competition was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions, and contested by a field of enthusiastic 76 players who were keen to do well.

The A-Grade saw Kim Herbert with a ‘runaway’ win, scoring 64 nett. Kim was comfortably ahead of Harry Callaghan (66) who led a bevy of strong players. 

The B- Grade saw the closest contest. Ken Sanderson won on count back from Jake Hemming when both finished on 68 nett. 

The C-Grade mimicked the A-grade in scores. Brian Clarke, who is in tip top form, scored 64 nett, ousting visitor Tom Wood (W/W) who had 66 nett. They went stride for stride, but Brian had the handicap advantage.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – R Murray, 18th – J Mallon. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3rd green, went to Reggie Murray with a shot to 2.25 metres. The ball sweep went to 72 nett on count back. Check in the Pro Shop if you think you earned one.

It was pleasing to see many club players back on the course after their long break, and it is also pleasing to see a number of visiting players.

On Saturday, 28th January, the comp is an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Rob Allen Livestock Transport. Forbes will host the CWDGA Pennants on Sun 5 Feb, for which the course will be closed until after midday. Some teams still need players, but all are welcome to come and watch.

Head Pro Adam is organising a Mizuno Equipment Day on 16th February. Contact him or the Pro Shop if you want to try them out.

By Short Putt

The golf course is looking good and it seems that the only thing missing are the flagsticks.

After a concerted effort by the course staff we are excited to announce that golf will re-commence this week with the availability of the back-9 holes. The Forbes Vets will have first use on Thursday, 15th December with the Summer Sixes also restarting that day.

Saturday competitions will commence on 17th December and require playing the back-9 twice using a stroke play format. However, there is more than enough opportunity for social play and the Summer Sixes.

The Pro Shop will be open from this week onwards, with both Head Pro Adam and Assistant Pro Michael ensuring it is fully operational. Call the Pro Shop on 6851 1554 if you have any questions.

Having only a 9-hole layout means there will be a lot of pressure on the course. All players are reminded to repair any pitch marks on the greens, fill any divot holes on the fairway and remedy any holes made on the tees. This will help the course staff in their efforts to get the full course back as soon as possible.

The golf course, along with many other of our community sporting facilities, is gradually drying out under this sunny weather.

On the golf course, drying of the fairways has enabled groundsmen to start mowing with the intent to reduce the rank grass growth before the fairway mowers can work effectively. The irrigation system still needs repair, but most greens can be watered manually.

A spraying program is in action to mitigate against fungal growth. There is still quite a bit of debris around the course and some greens will need repair. 

In the near future we will ask for volunteers to assist with some of the repairs. If you think you can help please call the Course Supervisor, Jack Elliott on 0478 678 804 or Club President, Tony Cogswell on 0418 220 510.

The Pro Shop will be open shortened hours during this week, and then fully operational by the weekend. Please call ahead on 02 6851 1554 to check if it is open.

We expect to get a composite 9-hole layout operational for this weekend, 10th and 11th December. The success of that will determine when we can re-commence the Summer Sixes competition.

By Short Putt

The Forbes community is recovering from the effects of two high flood events in two weeks. As with many of the sporting venues around town, the golf course is still quite wet.

The aim is to get the golf course running as soon as possible with the first job to ensure the health of the greens and then to mow the fairways when they dry. There is not much that volunteers can do at present, but once the course dries enough to enable traffic around the course there will be a call for bodies to help with the clean-up.

If you think you may be able to help, call the Course Supervisor Jack Elliott on 0478 678 804 or Club President Tony Cogswell on 0418 220 510. 

Planning is underway for the commencement of competition play when we are able. The Summer Sixes will probably start in the new year with a revamped format.

On the weekend of 12th and 13th November a team of golfers from Forbes and Parkes travelled to Shoalhaven on the South Coast to represent the Lachlan Valley District at the NSW Country Championships.

Our players did well, but their scores of Day 1 – 296 and Day 2 – 294, aggregating the four best individual scores each day, meant they were a long way behind. The eventual winners were Newcastle (280, 280)from Central Coast (281, 280) and Illawarra (281, 282).

Each of the Lachlan Valley team contributed in some way, with Steve Betland and John Betland scoring par 71s along the way.

Pro Shop is closed at present, but stay tuned as best you can.

By Short Putt

On Sunday the annual Pybar Shootout at the Parkes Golf Club had a strong starting line-up. 

On the 2nd hole Geoff Leonard exited, on the 3rd it was ex-president Mark Kelly’s turn, on the 4th hole Peter Bristol had to pack up, on the 5th hole it was adios to Jarrod Kemp, on the 6th par 3 a double par was way too much for Anthony Riach, on the 7th another gun went pop for Brendan Chambers. 

On the 8th hole David Speakman had trouble with the chip-off, on the 9th hole club President David Stevenson lost an 8-person chip-off, on the 10th Rob Leawent over the fence on his drive. Tony‘Scrubber’ Evans was next to go on theshort 11th. On the 12th one of the favourites Joe Van Opynen exited stage left. Onthe par 5 13th big hitting Phil Barnard leftthe game. On the 14th,another strong contender Michael Thomas went out. On theshort 15th Lindsay Elliott left. On the par 516th it was Robert Norman’s turn.

On the 17th Mick Jeffress, couldn’t keep pace leaving Rob Cheney and the most under rated golfer, Nym Dziuba, to tee off for the prize of Pybar Shootout champion for 2022. Both hit solid drives and then hit decent approach shots in.

Unfortunately, Rob’s putter let him down when it was most needed leaving Nym to close out and take the title. Big thanks to all participants, referee John Green, club Captain Cath Kelly and Pybar rep Paul Thomas, and Steve and Kerry in the clubhouse.

This weekend is the annual 18 Hole 4 Person Ambrose Prostate Cancer Awareness sponsored by the Parkes Prostate group.

By Peter Bristol

Last Saturday our last round on the existing Parkes Golf Course layout was played as construction had commenced on the realignment of the western boundary holes.

There were 85 players with some visitors from Forbes for the 4BBB Stableford and the annual Naggers Cup.

In the 4BBB event Robert Rea and Bruce Symonds were the overall winners with a total of 48. The husband and wife pairing of Mel and Craig Matthews were two points behind, with Dub Rodgers and Neil McMillian, Gordon Pritchard and Peter Bristol, Michael Lynch and Rod Luyt and Robert Hey and Craig Matthews all together on 45 points. 

In the individual event the scores would have won on any week with Simon Hogan on 41 points winning on a countback from John Green. John’s score coming off a 2 over 73 scratch score was by far the best scratch score. They were only 1 point ahead of Dub Rodgers and Peter Magill, and Craig Matthews. 

There were 12 other players at Stableford par or better making it a well contested event.

The Naggers Cup, sponsored by Liz Matthew’s family, was won by Mel and Craig Matthews. 

The Nearest the Pins: Idlerite Tyrepower 1st by Michael Dellaca at 334cm, the Griffins Leading Edge 4th by Peter Magill at 120cm, the Dirt Doctor Landscaping 6th Peter Magill at 577cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Craig Matthews at 68cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by John Green at 270cm, the Westlime 15th by Brendon Simpson at 636cm and the Central West Glass 18th by Jack Dolbel at 31cm. The lucrative 6th hole was won by Peter Magill at 577cm. 

In the women’s competition Sandra Freeman won the B grade 4th, Kath Jeffress won the A grade 6th and C grade 11th wasn’t claimed. Ball winners: Mel and Craig Matthews 46, Dub Rodgers and Neil McMillian, Gordon Pritchard and Peter Bristol, Lindsay Elliott and Wayne Tucker, Michael Lynch and Rod Luyt, Rob Hey and Craig Matthews 45, Frankie Cock and Marg Hogan 44. 

Week 6 of President vs Captain: Dave picked up 195 points to Cath’s 181. David has a 3-2 lead.

By Peter Bristol

The impact of flood waters in the Forbes Shire has been felt by many, with varying results.

At the Forbes Golf Course the staff were mowing the greens and as much of the fairways and rough to ensure the flood waters would flow and disperse more easily. They also cleaned up around trees and structures to reduce the opportunity for flotsam to be caught.

Preparations included picking up the tee markers, mats on the practice fairway, rubbish bins, large sand buckets, signs around the course, and anything else that could float away. Covers to the electrical equipment for the irrigation system were checked to ensure they did not drift away and leave a hole for someone to fall into.

Final preparations were to lower the hand rails on the 9th walk bridge, raise the equipment in the workshop as high as possible, and to move the equipment to as high a ground as possible. This did not prove totally successful, but saved some significant impacts.

Once the waters subside the first actions will be to wash the greens and remove any silt, thus allowing them to dry. The irrigation water pumps will need servicing, as also will the mowers and other equipment before use. Inspection across the whole course will be made to identify those sites needing repair.

The irrigation system will be flushed and all electrics checked, then a test operation will be made. And flotsam and debris will be removed.

The time taken for the flood waters to subside is unknown. Obviously, this will have an effect on the golf programme, on the Summer Sixes competition, and also impact the programme schedule for next year.

As soon as possible the club officers will notify players of the arrangements for the return to our game.

By Short Putt