By PETER BRISTOL
March Monthly Medal
The February Telescope Tyres / Hankook Masters Monthly Medal was played on Saturday, and our day sponsor was Brian Collins Smash Repairs and Parkes Caravans.
The company has long been associated with the PGC and Troy and Jodie have been generous in all aspects of club support and the players appreciate their sponsorship.
There were 69 players attempting to get the medals for March.
In A grade the winner was James Ward, who has been steadily working his handicap to its current lowest point of 1.8.
He did get some relief playing off the blue markers but only to 3.
James had a birdie on the front but unfortunately a double and 2 bogeys.
Then 2 bogeys and 7 pars on the back to record a 77.
The only one to beat the score on the day was club Pro Zac Kelly, who managed an even par round.
Chasing James home was John Green, David Brown and Wayne Powter who all fell just one stroke short.
In the net event, Tim Cowling blew the opposition away with a 66 net off his 14 handicap to win by 4 strokes.
This will be a great launching pad for Tim’s A grade career.
Dave Brown had a 70 net and remains in great summer form as he prepares to fly north for the winter.
Wayne Powter was a further shot back.
In B grade Phil Smith proved too good in the scratch event but only by a stroke.
His 87, with a 44/43 split proving 1 stroke too good for Ian Hendry, defending from last month, Jim O’Donoghue and Christine Porter, visiting from Tocumwal.
Phil was solid all day with a birdie matched by a double on the front and then 7 bogeys and 2 pars on the back.
It’s been a while since he’s been in the winners circle, but this could kick start a strong ’25 for him.
In the net it was a 4 way tie with king of the lefties, Dub Rodgers, getting up in the countback on 72, from Phil, Christine and Matt Knighton.
Once the premier lefty Dub has been in the wilderness for a while but showed there’s still fight in the old dog with this effort.
In C grade it was a double to Nick Strudwick as he picked up the scratch and net with his 93.
He started off a bit rusty on the front 9 recording a 50 but came home strongly with a creditable 43.
Craig Dunn, who has a permanent spot on the podium these days, was a stroke back and James Mackenzie was a further stroke back.
In the net Nick had to go through a countback to claim the prize from James with Reg Davison a stroke further back.
The Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by David Brown with 24 putts.
The Norman family sponsored Wally Norman Vets Medal was won by the well-travelled Joe Davies on a 70 net.
The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were –The Idlerite 1st was Idlerite Tyrepower not won, the Griffins Leading Edge was Phil Smith at 250cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Jordon Grosvenor at 50cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Wayne Powter at 367cm and the 17th by Gary Bryson at 39cm.
Ball winners were James Mackenzie 70, Wayne Powter, Reg Davison 71, Wayne Parker, Rob Rea, Mark Kelly 72.
This coming weekend is an 18 hole medley Par event and it is the 2nd round of the Frank Donnelly Perpetual Trophy.
In the CWDGA Pennants, Parkes played their last games on Sunday with only the mighty Div 2 boys able to make the playoffs in ’25.
Unfortunately, they went down 4-1 to the strong Duntry League side thus ending their chance for this year.
The club wishes to thank all the players who made themselves available for the Pennant season and we look forward to ’26.