Ladies Golf Wednesday’s golf was a monthly medal sponsored by Pam Rees. They were definitely spoilt with the beautiful weather. Winner on the day was Nora Saffioti with 84 off the stick and 72 nett. Runner up was Marg Townsend with 100 off the stick and 75 nett (c/b). Ball winners: Pip Bleyer 84 off the stick, 75 nett Di Starling 88 off the stick, 77 nett Deb Block 91 off the stick, 77 nett Diedre Flakelar 102 off the stick, 80 nett Nearest the pin: 3rd (D and C): Deb Noack 2.6 metres 7th (NTP): Nora Saffioti 12th (NTP): Di Starling 4.7 metres 16th (D and C): Cheryl Sandgren 12 centimetres On Saturday it was a medley 6X6X6 event, sponsored by Gazza’s. Winners on the day were Paige Starling and Darren Starling, blowing the field away and winning by almost 10 shots. They finished with 62 1/2 nett, with runners up being Di and Richard Starling on 72 nett. Ball winners: Pip Bleyer and Nora Saffioti 74 nett Cath New and Deb Block 74 nett Nearest the pins: 7th (NTP): Deb Block 11.8 metres 12th (NTP): Pip Bleyer 4.2 metres Sunday Golf Thirty golfers competed in a 4bbb on Sunday 21 June also run on the day were the semifinals of the Capital Chemist 4bbb match play. Chris McAuley and Andrew Crawford came up trumps over Hugh Block and Steve Pike (sub for Charlie Watson) in one of the matches with Nathan Stimson and Michael Crawford edging out Luke Perrot and Billy Winkley on the 19th hole. Congrats to our final pairs who will challenge for the prestigious title on the 30 August. The daily 4bbb competition was won by Chris McAuley and Andrew Crawford with a solid 43 points in what was a hard scoring day. Runners up were Barry Flaklelar and Adam Phillips who combined well for 41 points. Ball comp: Nathan Stimson / Michael Crawford 40 points Aaron Coddington / Trevor Krause 39 points Billy Winkley / Luke Perrot 39 points Individual Stableford points winner was Nat Irvine on 38 points. Nearest the pins: 3rd: Hugh Block 2.10 metres 7th: Jason Fernie 6.97 metres 12th: Adam Phillips 5.16 metres 16th: Ryan Pike 8.01metres Gazannes pizza drive and chip this week was on the 11th hole after 3 shots. It was taken out by Nathan Stimson who put it to within 80 centimetres. Reluctant Bradman award winners for the 4bbb event were mother and daughter duo Sue Alexander and Erin Pike - of course a Pike still takes home a prize. The individual Bradman ball went to Errol Cleverdon who just edged out Colby Poole for the 2nd hand ball. Next Sunday 28 June will be a two person Ambrose event. There is also a nine hole two person Ambrose event being held in conjunction for qualification for the NSW Ambrose event. There are men’s and women's and mixed pairs categories to qualify in. Vets Golf - Delta Ag Shield: Stableford Mark Wells (9) had to sink a pressure putt on the 18th to have any chance of winning round 10 of the Delta Ag Shields Stableford event. Mark rose to the occasion and sank a testing two metre putt that had a severe left to-right line to the hole. That successful putt added three points to the 31 he had accrued from his previous 17 holes. This crucial finish secured him a total of 34 points and a win from the hotly contested field. It was a nervous wait for Mark, as five other golfers had the same score of 34 points. A countback would determine the day’s winner. Mark got the nod from Golf Australia as his 18 points on the back nine was enough, by a point, to claim the $30.00 club voucher. The runner-up was Anthony Abra (17), a point behind Mark on the countback, 17 points to 18 points respectively, but obviously having the same score of 34 points. Anthony had to survive a last six-hole countback against Di Starling (17) to win the $10.00 club voucher, 17 points to 16 points. Bob Brabin (13) 34 points, was awarded three Delta Ag points for his fourth-place finish by having a better last three-hole (6 points to 3 points) score than Trevor Jose (22) 34 points. Gary Zacher (30) 34 points, missed out on Delta Ag points, but he did receive a ball for his fifth-place finish. Six players finishing with identical scores of 34 points. Probably a first for the vets. Thankfully, our new system compares the performance of the players from holes 10-18, and the winner is the player with the highest total points or the best hole-by-hole result over the last nine, six, or three holes. I hate countbacks, but not having to check scorecards now is a blessing. Now, you can download the players’ scores, and the results are available in a printed form from first place to the Bradman award. Physical countbacks are (hopefully) a thing of the past. Delta Ag points: Mark Wells 6, Anthony Abra 5, Di Starling 4, Bob Brabin 3, Trevor Jose 2. Ball winners: Di Starling, Bob Brabin, Trevor Jose and Gary Zacher. Nearest the pins: 7th Bob Brabin 6.32 metres, 12th Bob Brabin 4.3 5metres. The drive and chip holes were won by Mick Reardon on the 3rd, 51cm, and Bob Brabin on the 8th with 7 metres. Shot of the day: As told to me. Richard Starling hit his tee shot on the 15th hole into the trees on the right. His ball came close to going into the ditch. Richard had no clear shot to the green, except for a sideways chip back onto the fairway; nothing else seemed possible. Unfazed, Richard took aim at the green. He hit his second shot well with plenty of power. Richard’s ball bounced along and was heading for a tree. Now I didn’t witness this, so I’m at the mercy of the source. Apparently, Richard’s ball kicked to the right, avoiding the first tree. His ball then kicked left between two trees, then right between two other trees. His ball did this until it was clear of the trees. Just like a skier doing a slalom on the snow. Weird things happen sometimes on the golf course that we can’t explain. I just put it down to the golfing gods having some fun. Congratulations to Mark Wells on his win, and well played, Anthony Abra. Anthony's hard work on his game is yielding results. Next Thursday, the 25 June, is our next competition day; we will play for points in the Intersales Cup. Late entry: The Vets send their best wishes to Zali Sinclair, Harper Block, and Charlie Watson for the NSW Combined High School’s Golf Championships, held from 22 June at Magenta Shores and Shelley Beach golf clubs. While pressure to perform is likely high, try to relax, have fun, and enjoy the moment. Have a great time, guys. The Temora Vets proudly sponsor our local juniors. Coolamon Golf Firstly, my apologies about last week’s non-appearance. It was apparently caused by a computer glitch. Didn’t halt anger boiling, tempers flaring and blood being shed. Revolution was in the air, even Pauline Hansen issued a please explain and Donald Trump was so outraged he spat out a torrent of obscenities, interrupting his usual torrent of obscenities. Saturday’s Coolamon Open attracted a field of around forty, slightly disappointing but many were clearly deterred by the weather which looked as sullen as a phone deprived teen early on. The sun never showed its golden face all day, hiding behind the low clouds but the day was reasonably mild and when the rain finally dropped, fortuitously, the deluge was five minutes after the last putt fell. Mitch O’Brien in one of his rare appearances handled the challenging conditions with aplomb and his 76 enabled him to take home the championship by three strokes from Trevor Britton. Nick Buchanan won the A Grade handicap prize. In B Grade Tom Goss had one of those golfing days that occur about once every millennium. Almost every putt dropped, his chipping was sublime and even those shots that found the rough, amazingly landed in decent positions. With Essendon undefeated, Coolamon besting Ganmain in every match, the Strait of Hormuz opening its arms as well as a couple of trifecta collects it was a weekend spent in the Garden of Eden. The only blot on a perfect weekend was Hawthorn, Carlton and Collingwood winning. Arr well, you can’t have everything. Bryan Buchanan was the runner up while Mick O’Brien won the handicap prize making it a successful tournament for the O’Brien clan. My Temora golfing readers will be astonished to read that Trevor Jose triumphed in the C Grade event, his 105 enough the relegate newcomer Graeme Maslin to runner up after a count back. Yes, it’s the same Trevor Jose who hacks, dribbles, splutters and swears his way round the Temora course most Thursdays. Trev also went home with enough wine bottles from novelty prizes to quench the thirst of Andre the Giant. On my word of honour as a gentleman, it is the same Trevor Jose. The remaining novelty prizes were won by Gav Stephenson, Marty Crawford, Kev Macauley and Bruce Chant. Only four players fronted on Sunday with one important match played out. The dazzling, seemingly irresistible march to the handicap matchplay title by Dan Lagan leading to another glorious Kiwi victory spluttered to an agonising halt at the hands of Geoff Wilson one up. It must’ve been a high-quality match as both players returned Stableford scores in the twenties. A huge thanks to those who supported the Open. Sandra Wilson was amazing in recording the day, the volunteers presented the course in prime condition and the Chinese meal after play was like a banquet of Ambrosia. A special note of gratitude to the Louis Dreyfus company LDC and Luke Brabander for its sponsoring of the day. It’s wonderful to see a company that benefits from the community prepare to support community events. This Saturday is June’s monthly medal. Ariah Park Golf We had nine players brave the conditions at golf on Saturday which was a good turnout especially with the cold weather and a bit of drizzling rain but there were also sunny patches in between. So, for nine players to turn up was a blessing. The day started early for some as Peter Quinnell and Son Jackson bringing over the mini dingo to clean up a few briar bushes and small pine trees. So, after a couple of hours doing the clean-up (which they are still going to do more) they then put on the golf shoes for a game. Thanks to both of you – the golfy is going to look good when you finish. Captain Rocky – sporting a new hair cut – haha put the finishing touches to the cards. So, we went out in threes with myself, Zac, Pete on the fourth. Pikey, Merrill and Perko on the first and Rocky, Maree, Jackson on the 3rd. So, shotgun start and off we go on our adventure and for some it was going to be just that. I was in good form hitting straight drives (not far but straight at least). Zac had his hook and slice going well early and Pete went scrubbing. I think he only wanted to check out what to demolish with his dingo but after a few holes and a bit of coaching for Zac, both started to play a bit of golf. The crew of Pikey, Merrill and Ron were doing it a bit tough at first but in his fine wisdom and a team talk Pikey got this mob going but in some cases the horse had already bolted so to speak. Meanwhile Rocky was playing okay, Maree was struggling and Jacko was still (like his dad) looking for rubbish to burn. So, it took all three of this crew a few holes to get going. Zac took our advice and was now enjoying hitting the ball straight between the odd air swing and hook/slice, but he was going okay. Pete hit some monster drives, but too many went over the fence or to the scrub land so his day wasn't suited for golf (we should have kept him on the mini dingo) but the three of us had a laugh at some of our exploits. Not so Maree whose driver had a bit of a mishap during play – the head came loose and couldn't be fixed, so she had to use Rocky's and as my spies tell me she hit them better with Rocky's 1942 old clubs (no not true about Rocky's clubs). Well, I'm not sure anyway but he did the manly thing and offered her his club. She did appreciate it curly and he even took it home and adjusted it back to normal for her. So, thanks, Rocky, your kindness will be rewarded – maybe a cake or something of that nature. Jacko started to play golf and his back nine holes were great with a lot of three pointers. Pete was having a ball hitting every tree in his path. Zac's putting was outstanding. Well done. My game was okay also. Pikey didn't take any of his own advice as he fell out of contention at the halfway mark. Perko was playing okay and Merrill struggled in the cold. Maree also was feeling the cold as her game slipped towards the end and Rocky could have done with Pikey's Russian Cossack hat as his ears were turning blue (not sure if it was the cold or Maree's ear bashing lectures) but whatever it was his game also was slipping and the drizzle rain didn't help the cause much. After the golf was all done and dusted, it was back to the club house for the cards to be counted. Today's game was a Stableford with a twist. As the points were tallied then our sponsor for this event David Denyer drew two cards out at a time and these names and points were added together to find the winners. I drew the wife Maree – 71 points, Rocky/Merrill 71 points, Pikey/Pete 68 points, Merrill again/Pikey 69 points but the winners with 74 points were Jackson/Zac. So well done guys. (No dunce chair for you Zac.) Thanks to you David for the ongoing support and sponsorship and for cooking the pizzas and not letting Mr Pike anywhere near the oven – after his disastrous attempt at cooking pizzas last time around – they were as black as the night sky – burnt to a cinder – and just plain bloody awful – but not yours David so thanks mate, they were lovely. So, winners this week – Zac and Jackson N.T.P. – 3rd Rocky – I think. N.T.P 8th Pete. Good shot over the trees. Shot of the day – Pete – did a Camo on the par 3 third. Lined it up and whack hit the ladies’ tree and same as came rebounded back to him for a second shot at it. Had to laugh. Two weeks in a row. Lost balls – Peter and Son Jackson – a few too many. So, thanks everyone for playing and hope to see as many as we can next week and thanks again to Pete and Jacko for all the clean-up you are doing. It's very much appreciated by us all at the Royal Ariah Park Golf Club. Cheers Preferred Lies Temora Bowling Club Bowls Club Championships Handicap Pairs It’s not really the best weather to play in, particularly when you’re getting down to the quarter-finals or semi-finals of a championship. These diehard players remaining in the last two events have fought hard to get to where they are and they’ve mainly played in wonderful early winter conditions, but, here we are anyway, damp, coldish, thinking of a fireplace somewhere, a really nice thick stew or gumbo, wooly socks, maybe a beanie which covers your ears and jeez these bowls feel cold in my hand. The semi-finals of the handicap pairs are now finalised. John Rayner and Glenn Breust have somehow stopped the excellent run of John and Mike Tucker. The 25-17 scoreline does, and at the same time, does not reflect the true story of the game, Rayner and Breust deserved to win. No doubt about that. That’s not in debate, both the Tuckers played some seriously tidy lawn bowls, just not enough. Rayner and Breust now have a meeting against Peter Harpley and Jon Wilson who have absolutely destroyed all opposition including the in-form and electrifying Paul Cook in the previous round. Rick and Greg McKinnon won their quarter-final match against Nora and Bruce Saffioti 25-15 and here’s another score that doesn’t look right. There was only one multiple result in the first 11 ends and that was a two-shot result to the McKinnons on the 10th end. This was a competitive game from start to finish. The end result score doesn’t reflect how good the game was. The McKinnons now have to face Trevor Firman’s “doctored” team of himself and Neville Elwin who has single-handedly carted this team to the position they are in, meaning Trevor’s a representative standard bowler having his hand held by a golfer. Harpley and Wilson verses Rayner and Breust. Elwin and Firman verses McKinnon/McKinnon. That’s your semi-final showdown. The Downtown Double Showdown. Minor Singles The two of the minor singles should be cracking games. All four players are in good form and it’s difficult to say what the outcome of these games will be. Don Martin made his way to the semi’s with a 25-23 win over Glenn Breust last weekend, but, after leading 15-1 at one stage, a 25-23 result would have made you a little bit nervous. Martin takes on Rick McKinnon who has been top shelf since returning to the sport. The other semi-final sees Billy Moore playing Jon Wilson and both are genuinely playing well. King Of the Turf Rex Perrot has returned from a nine-month spell to slaughter the field in last week’s feature race. Don Martin had a crack at keeping up with the runaway winner, but really it was just Rex Perrot all by himself. The image of chief steward Bomber Edwards collecting big wads of cash from the bookies after the race raised a few eyebrows, and maybe there’s a story there.
