January Monthly Medal

The 2026 season of golf kicked off with the January Monthly Medal and again with our loyal and long term sponsor in Telescope Tyres / Hankook Masters. The club and members appreciate the prizes provided each month for the premier scratch events in our calendar. The day sponsor this month was the Parkes Services Club who have worked hand in hand with the Golfie for decades supporting golf in Parkes and we look forward to that association continuing. There were 80 members and visitors appreciating the course.

In A grade it was Wayne Powter who was out early in the season and stamping some authority on the A grade Competition. Wayne shot a credible 77 off the stick with 2 bogeys and a bird on the front 9 but fading a bit on the back with a forty. While not being one of the long bombers in A grade the accuracy and short game will keep him prominent all year, plus he is fully recovered from the hip replacement so it’s all looking up for ’26. Chasing hard and just missing the top spot were 2 of the big bombers in Blake Parker and Peter Amor who are expected to be in the mix each week. Blake shot a set of 39’s which was matched by Peter. The other player who figured in the tight finish was Mark Kelly who has become Mr Consistency over the last 12 months or so. Mark was out in 38 with 2 bogeys blemishing the front 9 but then a 40 knocked the wind from his sails. But we can expect him to be there or thereabouts throughout ’26. In the net event Peter scored the win on a countback over Mark on 69 with Wayne a further shot back. The best scratch round was actually recorded by club Pro Zac Kelly who hit a 4 birdie, 2 bogey front nine then a 2 birdie, 1 bogey back nine for a 69 off the stick. Good to see some form coming back for him as well, and there might be some more highlight reels in ’26.

In the B grade scratch event was taken out by Chris Downes giving him his first taste of Monthly Medal success after joining in ’25. Chris hitoff on a 16 handicap, but managed to play to a 13 handicap and thus pickup the scratch for the day. He had an ordinary 46 on the front nine but flew home with a 39 on the back to beat home Justin Middleton by 2 shots. Justin is still in good form following the club’s grade matchplays from the end of last year where he performed admirably. John Creith kicked off the year well to also go under his handicap with an 89. In the net event Chris came up trumps with his 69 just pipping John by a stoke and Ash Dolbel a further stroke behind.

In C grade Peter Picker was again in hot form to take out the scratch score but only after a countback was called with Scott Winter. Peter shot a 47/45 round and Scott a 45/47 to lose yet again. Peter was still gaining form at the end of ’25 and it looks as though that year hasn’t ended for him. On the other hand Scott just wanted to get past Christmas as he had just gone down, or got beaten on countbacks any number of times in ’25. Col Breaden, Dylan Phillips, Ian Ward and Luke Clyne were all 1 stroke off the winners. In the net event junior Jack Kaden shot an unbelievable 63 to easily take the prize on the day from Dylan and Steve Collins back on 69. Zac Kelly is getting these juniors into their golf, and the results are flowing regularly now.

The Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by Wayne Powter with 27 putts on a c/b. Thanks to Peter Magill and family for keeping this great competition going for another year. The Norman family sponsored Wally Norman Vets Medal is again being sponsored by Wally’s children and a big thanks go out to them. January’s was won by Ian Phipps’ with a 72.

The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were – the Idlerite 1st by Tim Cowling at 121cm, the Griffins Leading Edge by Ian Ward at 294cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Luke Clarke at 2cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Wayne Parker at 328cm and the Parkes Security Storage 17th by Matt Lawryk at 356cm.

The Money Hole was won by Brandon Hill.

Ball winners were Dyllan Phillips, Steve Collins, Mark Kelly 69, John Creith 70 and Col Breaden 71.

Next Saturday is an 18 Hole Medley 4B Worst Ball Stableford – 1st Round of BWR Summer Competition, with an Individual in conjunction.