Vets Golf
John Dwyer
The sun was shining and the scores were hot when five players posted 40 points or better at last week's twin-towns veterans golf competition played at Parkes.
Leading the way was Parkes veterans president Peter Bristol who put together a well compiled 42 points for the 18 holes to finish a stroke better than Forbes' Ken Walton who survived a count-back from John Creith (Parkes) and Wauchope visitor John Keiley.
The two players on 40 points were Tom Delmenico from Parkes and Alex MacKinnon from the visiting team.
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A big field of 40 players - including six visitors - contested the event which saw Parkes win to twin-towns shield with 233 points to Forbes' 198.
Nearest-to-pins went to Forbes' Alf Davies and Kath Kelly from Parkes on the fourth hole and Bede Tooth from Forbes on the par three 11th hole.
Tenterfield visitor Brett Adams won the encouragement award with 25 points.
The ball sweep went to 36 points and winners were: 41 points - John Creith (P); 40 - Tom Delmenico (P) and Alex MacKinnon (F); 38 - Andrew Grierson (F); 37 - Tony Hendry, John Fowler and Dale Stait (P); 36 -Lindsay Elliott and Rob Staples (P) and Barry Parker and Ken Sanderson (F).
This week Forbes will host the final Lachlan Valley Veterans 18-hole competition for the year. Nominations will be taken from 9am for a 10am start.
Parkes Golf Club news
By Peter Bristol
Saturday’s Results
Saturday was the Butta Beef Butchery Short Course Championship for ‘24. The Butta Beef team have a great association with the PGC and we thank them for their ongoing support of our golfers and club.
The Short Course event was reignited by Denis Howard a few years back and is an event that is enjoyed by all, as the men play off the ladies tees and the ladies off the yellow tees. It changes the hole perspectives and lowers everyone’s handicap for the day.
Seventy-five starters teed it up for a great day on the course.
The scratch division for the men was won by Aaron Wilkie. Aaron was expected to be well in contention at the end but his 72 was only two better than his grandfather Ian Phipps, who has again found the elixir of golf and is playing brilliantly.
The short course requires the short shot finesse that Ian is renowned for. Obviously, Aaron’s power game meant there were a number of par 4s that were drivable with less than driver and the par 5s were a mid to short iron for the second shot.
Jack Matthews and Peter Amor, only needed a bit more luck on the day to be top of the heap with both recording 76s. Club Pro, Zac Kelly, went around in a 2 under 70.
In the ladies scratch Anita Medcalf rose to the top with her new club fitting obviously helping out.
A solid 89 was only one better than Cath Kelly, who is racing back to her best form and ready for the summer run on the course. Not to be left out of the argument was Frankie Cock who was further shot back.
In the men’s net event Ian Phipps was in the mix again taking out top dog prize but only after a countback from the cagey veteran Rod Luyt. Rod is happy the warmer weather is upon us as the course lends a hand with a bit more run, he then only has to get the putts to drop to be competitive.
Phil Smith was returning after an illness break and looks to back in form with a 70, the same score as recently crowned B Grade Match Play champion Mitch Cambourn. Tony Hendry, starting to see the end of the lost golfers tunnel was a stroke back with snake wrangler David Hodges and also Luke Clyne getting an honourable mention alongside Peter Amor.
In the ladies net event Frankie Cock took the top podium spot with a good 72, one stroke in front of Cath Kelly and Melissa Matthews.
A very tight run thing with Frankie relieved to get there in the end.
The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were –The Idlerite 1st by Melissa Matthews at 135cm, Griffins Leading Edge by Bernie King at 208cm, Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Matt Clarke at 77cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Bernie King at 119cm, the 17th by Jack Matthews at 195cm. The winner of the lucky 17th this week was Jack Matthews at 195cm.
Ball winners were Rod Luyt 68, Mitch Cambourn, Phil Smith, Tony Hendry, David Hodges, Luke Clyne 70, Cathy Kelly, Mel Matthews 73.
In the Men’s Matchplay Championships, Scott Winter has been crowned the C grade winner and Mitch Cambourn the B Grade Champion for 2024. John Green and Jake Thompson to playoff over 36 holes for the A Grade title.
Saturday’s event is an 18 hole stableford with perfect conditions both course and weather wise.
