September Monthly Medal

The September Telescope Tyres / Hankook Masters Monthly Medal was played on Saturday, and our day sponsor was Parkes Toyota. Sean Sloane and team are keen on their golf and the PGC and members appreciate Sean’s sponsorship and support. The day was a cracker apart from the wind, but Spring had sprung, there was run to be had, and the greens were true, if not a bit quick. 70 golfers rolled out to play.

In A grade the scratch winner was Aaron Wilkie with a 77. Aaron just keeps knocking up wins in the Monthly Medals and he showed his class again. He went out 2 over salvaging a birdie on the 9 th . He then came home with a 39, his 2 birdies covering off the double bogey on the 16 th . He just managed to stave off the fast finishing John Green who was slow out over the front 9 with a 41 but then was flying home with birdies at the 15 and 17 only to falter on the 18 th with a bogey to go down by a stroke. No-one else broke 80 but Dave Brown and Riall Harrison signalled some return to form with their 80s. In the net event Dave was the winner with a very good 69 being 3 under his handicap on the day, beating home Craig Matthews, who shot an inward 38 off the stick, signifying his game is in pretty good nick as well. Aaron Gaffey and Phil Bishop had 72’s.

In the B grade scratch event Phill Smith awoke from his slumber and came out firing recording an 81 with an even split of 41/40, with a birdie on 17 th , from just over four metres. He will be eager to get some of those SCT goodies at the Open. Justin Middleton had a solid 90 and Rod Kiley, with a love / hate relationship with the putter, managed a 92. In the net event Phill was unstoppable with a 66 net score. One of the best numbers in a while on Medal day and he cruised in from Rob Staples on 73. Rob also has had a long recovery period but is at last discovering his game.

In C grade Richard Hamilton had a solid 95 to win the day with an even split of 47/48. Richard will be keen to take this form back to the Vets events off the shorter white tees. The sponsor, Sean Sloane, was front and centre and pulled up 3 short in the pursuit on 98 with Gordon Pritchard also on that total. Joe Davies, playing off the red tees shot a strong 90. Joe had a great birdie on the 15 th back into the breeze although he was struggling overall on the back 9 with a 48 after he had a low 42 on the outward 9. Showing golf is catering for all now with the choice to play off the differing tees. In the Net event Gordon Pritchard once again couldn’t walk past the podium – had to climb those steps again. His 72 beating Richard on a countback with Sean 1 further back.

The Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by Captain John Green at 27 putts. John is definitely looking the smokey for some major prizes on the Open weekend. The Norman family sponsored Wally Norman Vets Medal was won by Phil Bishop on 72.

The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were – the Idlerite 1 st by Rob Staples at 644cm, the Griffins Leading Edge by Wayne Powter at 210cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9 th by Aaron Wilkie at 91cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Aaron Wilkie at 135cm and the 17th by Peter Magill at 100cm.

The Money Hole was won by Peter Magill at 100cm.

Ball winners were Craig Matthews 71, Aaron Gaffey, Phil Bishop, Richard Hamilton 72, John Green, Josh Duffy 73.

This coming weekend is the Parkes Open. It commencing on Thursday with the Veterans incorporating their normal event as well as hosting any visitors. This is sponsored by Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia. On Friday the traditional 4BBB will be played and sponsored by Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia. On Saturday and Sunday players will contest the Parkes Open. This year the format will be 36 holes, 18 on each day, and sponsored by SCT. We have over 100 registrations for Friday and over 170 for the weekend golf. There is also some of our local PGA professionals coming to have a game as well. In the Open event we are hoping that Aaron Wilkie and Jack Elliott will lead the local charge with some impressive low handicap golfers coming from the metro area as well the usual local area talent.