Ariah Park Golf On a cold day for golf we had nine players turn up to play a Stableford event for the Kevin Kennedy Day – sponsored by his daughter and son-in-law Fred and Amanda Donahue – so thanks guys for your ongoing support of our small club. It’s great to see that all players playing Saturday golf sponsor a day – and are glad to do so – but if anyone would like to put their hand up to sponsor, we would be very grateful – it’s only about $60 for the day – per year – a shirt with your logo plus Ariah Park Golf logo. Cheap at $60. Now back to golf – we had quite a few missing this week – with the Rollins family away – Perko fishing – Harpers family function – Camo gout – Pikey Love struck – Nodza? Any netball mishaps – kids footy – and so the list goes on – but for the brave ones who took on the weather – well done. Poor old Robbo wasn’t feeling too good, but he crawled his weary body to golf but could only manage to complete nine holes as the cold took its toll on his golf and body (poor old thing). Also had the same effect on his playing partners as they too pulled the pin after nine holes. Poor little Phoebe was frost bitten so she and dad Pete grabbed the chance to stay by the heater in the club house – top idea guys. Now outside after the dust had settled Nappa and Jacko were in a ding dong battle and after a slow start by Jacko he finally took some advice from the old fella (me that is) and started to strike the ball with plenty of power (not bad for a 14 year old). When he hits them, they stay hit – so well-done Jacko. When you play with good players it rubs off on you. Maree and Zac were also playing well but as it got colder it had an effect on Zac but not Maree as she was hitting the ball well – no lost balls this week girl. Fredo and Garry had a ball (no pun included) and put plenty of miles on the golf cart clock as they thought they were the Leyland Brothers with plenty of scrub bashing, tree hugging, rabbit trapper’s workout – the full Monty by these two guys. We could hear trees being hit, galahs screeching and taking flight. Both players were in the scrub a lot (rabbit trappers) laughing, swearing, skylarking and just enjoying themselves (as we do) and with a high handicap for both of them they could try different shots (and they did) but it was just good to see them enjoying the day. Little Sparrow (Phoebe) was playing well and even out drove her dad a couple of times (no mean feat) and her putting is wonderful to watch, but the weather took its toll on this team – and back to the club house for them. Jacko had the occasional mishap (as we do) and ring-barked a couple of big gum trees but did knuckle down and played well. As for me I played a lot better than last week with my chipping and putting a lot better so looks like I’ll be back next week. After the finishing touches were done to the manageable cold and windy day it was lovely to get back to the warm club house for a hot cuppa and hook-in to the wonderful casserole supplied by the Donahue family – and bloody hell it was tasty and hot and filling – just what the doctor ordered – so thanks Fred and Amanda. So, Maree stepped up and took on the captain’s role by doing the cards and handicaps this week. A big task but she handled it well so thanks Ree no complaints from anyone (now that’s a first). After she tallies the cards the winner “Fredo” and boy wasn’t he happy to win his father in laws trophy (that handicap has dropped). So well done Buddy. Runner Up Maree. N.T.P 3rd Fredo N.T.P 8th Garry. Well done guys. Shot of the day – (1) Garry got a turkey from about nine metres out – lovely chip – only thing it took him six shots to reach the spot – so seven shots in all – but still good enough for shot of the day. Shot of the day (2) Maree par 3 8th hit the tree – dropped straight down – 2nd shot shanked – going into no man’s land – hit something – we don’t know what – but ricocheted back onto the sand for an easy par. Sometimes a golf ball can do amazing things. So well done golfers who excelled in the trying conditions – well done. I salute you all – next week off to Coolamon for the Logan Cup – we need as many as we can muster – so come on let’s represent Arian Park. Lost balls – Pete 1, Garry 2, Fredo 2 (but found two), Zac 1, Jacko 1. So, see ya all at Coolamon next Saturday (we will meet at the Ariah Park Golf Club at 08:30am sharp). Cost $30 with food supplied (morning tea, lunch). Cheers Preferred Lies. Ardlethan Bowls Last week saw the open singles played between Allan Smith and Malcolm ‘Willy’ Rees. Smith coming into the final with a great 25 to 23 win against Ray Golden and Rees winning his semi final against Rod McDermott 26 to 20. After eight ends Rees led Smith seven to six, but after that Rees put the pressure on to run out a worthy winner 25 to 10. The win by Rees is his fifth A Grade singles title in Ardlethan. Also recently the pairs final was played between Dennis Carroll and Robert Smyth against Malcomb Rees and Craig Murphy, in a great game of bowls Rees and Murphy led 8 to 7 after 13 ends. But Carroll and Smyth finished too strong for a well deserved 15 to 10 win. Vets Golf: Delta Ag Stableford Last Thursday 23 July, 26 Vets ventured to play in the Delta Ag Stableford competition with the weather conditions almost arctic like they braved the elements and took on the challenge of the extreme conditions not only challenged by the weather but somebody thought it would be a good idea to test us with the some difficult pin positions as well, no fear challenge excepted with the winner of the day Anthony Abra bringing in 37 points looks like the conditions hasn’t affected his game well done. Runner Up: Mick Daley with 35 points C/B. Ball Winners: A Madden 35 D Meale 32 B Ingram 32 J Fernie 31 N Elwyn 31 A Coddington 31 Nearest The Pins: Third: J Fernie 2.33 metres Seventh: J Fernie 6.32 metres Twelfth: A Abra 9.2 metres Sixteenth: No takers Drive & Chip: Third: No Takers Eighth: A Phillips 4.41 Delta Ag Points: A Abra 6 M Daley 5 D Meale 4 B Ingram 3 N Elwyn 2 Everybody else who attended gets 1. Skins Div. 1: A Coddington $5 A Madden $5 S Shuck $4 G Holt $1 C McCrone $1 Kitty Banked $2 Skins Div. 2: P Cartwright $1 A Abra $9 B Ingram $1 D Neale $2 R Lovell $2 H Wilson $3 Some very interesting shots taken out there on Thursday, I witnessed Gary Lavelle use the flora and fauna to his advantage. It seems every time his tee shot headed into the scrub if by a miracle or divine intervention it found its way back into the centre of the fairway. Ladies Golf On Wednesday, ladies played a monthly medal event, sponsored by Di Starling. Winner on the day: Marg Townsend with a score of 102 and 75 nett. Runner-up: Jacinta Watson with 92 off the stick and 79 nett. Ball winners were: Rhonda Schuck 98 off the stick and 79 nett Maureen Lynch 120 off the stick and 82 nett Nearest the pins: 3rd (D and C): Deb Noack 1.04 metres 7th (NTP): Di Starling 6.8 metres 12th (NTP): Jacinta Watson 11.05 metres 16th (D&C): Jacinta Watson 1.8 metres On Saturday, ladies played a 6X6X6 event, six holes of Ambrose, six of Pinehurst and six of Foursomes. Winners on the day: Aimee Madden and Erin Pike with 80 off the stick for a 64 1/2 nett. Aimee’s putter was hotter than an Australian summer - it was a sight to see. Runners-up: Deb Noack and Margaret Townsend with 90 off the stick and 67 nett. Ball winners: Di Starling and Helen Miller with 83 off the stick and 67 1/2 nett Nearest the pins: 3rd (D and C): Erin Pike and Aimee Madden 16 centimetres 7th (NTP): Di Starling 1.66 metres 12th (NTP): Di Starling 9 metres 16th (D and C): Marg Townsend and Deb Noack 45 centimetres Sunday Golf Men's Foursomes Championships On Sunday the 2026 men's Foursomes Championships were held with 36 players competing. Winning pair were Aaron Coddington and Gavin Coleman who after a slow start began to combine well to shoot a score of 119 for the 27-hole event. Scratch Runners up were the pairing of Jason Fernie and Anthony Madden who shot 122. Jason and Anthony also took out the handicap event with a score of 106.25 just edging out Errol Cleverson and Ken Krause on 107.75. Congratulations to all winners. Ball comp: Aaron Coddington and Gav Coleman 110 Steve Block and Charlie Watson 113.25 Phil Bleyer and Mick Daley 114.50 Ntps: 3rd: untouched 7th: Aaron Coddington 3.18 metres 12th: Steve Block 2.58 metres 16th: Errol Cleverdon 10.75 metres The Bradman award went to the highest scoring pair who were still at the club during presentations. Well done to Chris McAuley and Andrew Crawford who took home the dirty old golf balls and spent most of the round blaming each other for their downfall! Next week we have the Temora open weekend with a jam-packed schedule. On Friday night 31 July we are holding a chip for cash competition with a $500 jackpot up for grabs for a hole out or ntp. $10 for three shots. We will also be selling steak, sausage and rissole sandwiches with music and good vibes as we lead into the main events. Friday night raffles will also be held, and the bistro will be open. Saturday is the two-person Ambrose which is a 1030 shotgun start. The field for this is almost full so if you are planning on playing get in quick to register so you don't miss out. Saturday night is the annual dinner with guest speaker Peter Rowsthorn and music from 1979. There will also be the annual player raffle and auctions. Sunday is the individual Temora Open event with A grade, B grade, ladies and junior divisions. Once again, we have plenty of prizes up for grabs over the weekend! Coolamon Golf By THOMAS GOSS Bryan Buchanan achieved a longed for and much savoured personal milestone on Saturday when he broke through the 80 barrier for the very first time on his way to a runaway Monthly Medal victory. A 79 looked as unlikely as jet skiing through the Straits of Hormuz or a family picnic on the Gaza Strip when he stood on the 18th needing a birdie. It was even more unlikely when he sought refuge in the drop zone after an errant second. What followed was as magical as a conjurer’s convention at Hogwarts. A sweetly struck iron from 150 meters gently faded around the trees, soaring and dipping like a Mozart symphony before coming to rest three meters from the pin. A curling downhill putt found the centre of the hole to the roars from an emotion sapped crowd. For his herculean efforts he pocketed a life changing $187 after also sharing the putting prize with Sandy Wilson. It was more remuneration than he earned in the entirety of his storied football career. Runner up was Sandra despite battling serious leg issues (reminiscent of Dicko and Chester after four schooners prior and a box of full strength over 18 holes). She is still playing outstanding golf, (unlike Docko and Chester back in their respective primes) A shot further back were Matt Hard, Trev Jose and Daniel Milne on 74 net. Novelty prizes were won by Tom Goss, Geoff Wilson, Bryan Buck, Sandra Wilson, Nick Buck, Joe Redfern and Jacqui Hilton. Josh Moncreiff added to his golf resume winning the pink ball in a canter. He was further delighted when Jacqui Hilton added her name to the Mono files when she produced a shoulder wrenching air swing during her round. Jacqui was somewhat mollified when she gobbled a thirty-meter chip on the last to snatch the longest holed shot prize. In an interesting segue it’s been revealed that Pauline Hanson was inspired by Josh’s experiences to develop her ‘Monoculture’ policy. To all those Woke idiots out there it has nothing to do with racism. She believes the one-shot penalty is outrageous as it ‘penalises battling working-class golfers and favours the elites.’ Her eminently sensible solution is to make the penalty pro rata. Those with zero handicaps or lower receive the shot penalty but those on 18 are docked half a shot and 36 handicappers escape scott free. Sound fair and logical to me. And people claim she has no policies. You know it makes sense. The day was sponsored by Stu and Sharn Seymour and Karmically Stu won the raffle. Not only does Stu work tirelessly on the course and charm sponsors he is more than prepared to get his hands dirty and Sharn provides repast for hungry players (and delicious curried egg sandwiches for Liam to pilfer) as well as organising lunch on social days. Recruiting both a few years back was I like picking up Daicos and Bontempelli in the same draft. There were only five players who fronted for a hit and giggle on Sunday with Clint Graham again accepting the chocolates although his wallet wasn’t as bulging as it was following his previous victory when it looked like he was carrying an overfed wombat in his back pocket. This Sunday the Club is hosting the annual Logan Cup featuring teams from Ganmain, Grong Grong and Ariah Park. For the Park lads this is their Grand Final, World Cup and British Open all rolled into one. Coolamon competitors need to bring their A game, and match Ariah Park’s intensity, discipline and sobriety if we are to end their unparalleled run of success over the past few years. Go you mighty green men.
