The last trophy competition of Farrington Park’s Mixed Section golfing year is the Sanders’ Challenge Bowl played as an American Greensomes format and was instigated by Jane and Maurice Sanders in 2001.

They were very active members of Farrington Park in the club’s early years. Jane was a member of the social committee and served as Ladies’ Captain in 2001.

About ten years ago their daughter Zoe and son Richard moved to Australia and when grandchildren arrived, Jane and Maurice spent a number of years splitting their time between the UK and Oz before moving permanently about seven years ago.

Sadly, Jane died earlier this year, so this first playing of the Challenge Bowl since her death had an added poignancy for those who knew her.

Twenty couples signed up for the challenge.

There were prizes for Nearest the Pin on the 5th and 15th holes, these were won by Danny Durbin and Mandy Hobbs respectively.

The standard of play and scoring from the teams was very high; the winning teams scored 40 points or higher proving that everyone had adjusted quickly to winter golf

playing conditions.

Jackie Willcox and Alan Fussell scored 42 points to take third place, two points better than fourth placed Rosi Brown and John Ward.

Denise and Bob Baker scored 44 points, which in most circumstances would have secured the Trophy – but not on this occasion.

The previous day, one of the eventual winners had said to the competition

organiser that the Sanders’ Challenge Bowl was the only competition that he hadn’t won with his partner.

Strangely prophetic words, with an amazing score of 47 points which included an eagle 3 at the 18th hole for 5 points, Rob Thain and Lin Papadopoullos completed the Mixed Section’s ‘Grand Slam’ and lifted the Sanders’ Challenge Bowl for the first time.

Jane Ball