CAN MCGLASHAN RETAIN TITLE?
The Parkes Golf Club’s annual Club Championships begin this Saturday and the big question is, will reigning titleholder Mitch McGlashan retain his mantle as the club’s premier golfer?
Undoubtedly McGlashan will start favourite, however there are many chances including recently crowned Lachlan Valley District Champion Justin Sutton, Cameron Butler and Peter Dixon. Sutton has returned to his brilliant best in the past month and if recent form is any indication he will be hard to beat. Together with his victory at the LVDGA Championship Sutton and a couple of sub-par rounds Sutton’s confidence will be high.
Both Butler and Dixon will be hard to toss as they also have been in great form, with Dixon’s recent runner up position at the District Championships showing he has the ability to be a major force. Butler on the other hand is the dark horse and if he can handle the nerves and pressure this talented young player will be one to watch alongside Joey Van Opynen.
The B Grade for players on handicaps of 12 to 18 will also provide plenty of excitement and if there is to be a boil over it could come from junior golfer Lachlan Buesnell while the chances of Tim Lasserre will depend on his ability to keep the ball as his drives can often find the rough. Then there is Paul Morgan, another who if he can control his game will be right in the mix along with player to watch Michael Smith.
The C Grade will feature three of the clubs veteran golfers with Richard Hamilton, Reg Davison and Brien McPhee expected to dominate but don’t forget the consistent Steve Cook who despite being only relatively new to the game is coming on in leaps and bounds. The Veterans Division should rest between a couple of steady performers in reigning Champion Robert Hey and his major threat former club champion Steve Simpson with Ian Phipps and Phil Bishop the best of another lot of consistent performers.
Meanwhile the Junior Division is between two of the clubs most improved players in Lachlan Buesnell and James Ward with Buesnell likely to start as favourite. Come along and enjoy what should be one of the closest and most interesting Club Championships in years.
GOLF NEWS
Last Saturday’s Chris Goodie sponsored 18 Hole Stableford saw Ray Griffith return to form with an excellent 43 points to be clear of runner up Colin Barker who headed the ball winners list with Brian Hogan (jnr) and Greg Powter on 40, Dave Stevenson and Neil McMillan, 39, Robert Lea, Lachlan Buesnell, Peter Bristol, Charlie Allen, Gary McPhee and Mick Horan all on 38 with John O’Shannessy 37 on a countback. The Ladies competition whichwas an 18 hole Stroke round sponsored by Liz Matthews saw Adrianne Brown victorious on 66 nett while ball winners were Anita Medcalf, 69, Margaret Hogan and Cherrie Phillips, 71, Liz Matthews & Dale Matthews, 73 and Lynne Guise on 74,
The Western Districts Ladies Golf Association Championships will be held at the club from Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th May and the ladies are requesting the use of golf carts to use on Thursday 12th so if you have a cart and can loan it to the club please contact Anita Medcalf.
EUGOWRA RIFLE CLUB
Last Saturday the second round of the club championship continued from 600 yards. Barry Plowman top scored in F Class just super centres in front of Alistair with a hard fought 105 out of a possible 120. David Jolly shot consistently in the conditions continuing his recent form with three points down 97 out of 100.
F Class: Barry Plowman 51.1, 54.3 – 105.4; Allistair Kable 52.2, 53.0 – 105.2; Alan Noble 47.2, 53.1 – 100.3; Jim Maloy 43.1, 52.2 – 95.5
Full-Bore: David Jolly 49.3, 48.6 – 97.9; John Bray 44.0, 45.2 – 89.2; Margot Jolly 38.0, 45.1 – 83.1; Steve Mitchell 47.3, 45.3 – 92.6
At the Annual General Meeting held prior to the commencement of shooting, Alan Noble was again elected to lead the club as Captain. David Jolly was re-elected as Secretary and John Bray returned as Treasurer. This Saturday round two of the championship will continue from 700 yards at the Eugowra range. Shooting is to commence from 1.30pm.
The Central West District Rifle Association Champion of Champions match will be conducted at Lyndhurst Rifle Range next month on Sunday 29th May. Club champions from Eugowra, Orange, Lyndhurst, Cowra, Grenfell and Narromine/Dubbo rifle clubs will fight it out to be named CWDRA Champion and go on to represent the district at the State titles at Malabar Rifle Range next July.
SPACEMEN
Round One took place at Kennard Park, Wellington. Parkes kicked to start the game and followed with great pressure and within a few minutes Louise McAneney scored a try. After Wello’s kick on the last, great hands and quick passes saw the Parkes ladies spread it wide to Cunninghams IGA’s Britt Ryan on the half way line and she put
on the pace to score Parkes second.
Their third followed from the kick with more of the same from all Parkes ladies, quick hands, great passes and enthusiastic encouragement for the team saw BMJC’s Ella J Harris over the line and a successful kick from Simply Bellissima by Kim’s Claire Barber. With the binning of one of the Parkes girls they didn’t give up with try number 4 going to Parkes Railway Bowling Club’s Emma Bailey with a good run from the halfway mark and Claire Barber added the extras. At drinks the score was Parkes 20 Wellington 4. On restart Captain Hannah Kelly got the ball and sprinted from halfway to nearly have her shorts pulled off by the defence to off load and score a try, only for it to be disallowed.
With Parkes next set La Bella’s Sally Dwyer went over and Claire Barber added the 2. Dippin Dots’ Demi-Joyce Winter scored the last 3 tries to take the tally to Parkes 40 Wellington 4 at the final bell.