On Saturday, 27th and Sunday, 28th April, the ladies played the Thomas Cup. The two-day event was played in good weather, which was a great relief after the second day was called off last year due to torrential rain.
Everyone was in good spirits for this qualifying stableford competition. On Day One, Alison Patey was the only winner of the two spot, Paula Chivers won nearest the pin on the fifth hole for the bronze players and Terri O'Shea won it on the tenth hole for the silver players.
First on day one was Paula Chivers with 39 points, second, Rosi Brown with 36 points, and third, Gail Proctor with 34 points. On Day Two, Suzanne Young won the only two spot, whilst Corrina Bates won nearest the pin on the fifteenth hole for bronze and Suzanne Young won nearest the pin on the eighth for the silver. First, with 35 points, went to Jacqui Gregory, second was Brenda Whitchurch, with 35 points on countback, and third was Suzanne Young, with 34 points.
The overall winners for both days were Sue Stilwell in third place with a combined total of 71 points on countback. Terri O'Shea was runner-up, with a combined score of 71 and the deserving winner of the Thomas Cup 2013 was Jane Ball, with a combined score of 72 points. Very well done to Jane, who played consistently well throughout and was overjoyed to win the competition. A great weekend with special thanks to Paul Thomas.
Farrington Juniors
Writhlington Golf Academy students and Farrington Juniors, Will Hobbs and Josh Hilleard, have both had a successful week on the golf course. One-handicap Josh managed to win the final Intercollegiate Tour event of the season. His four over par 76 at Farrington was good enough to claim victory in some of the windiest conditions seen in the event. This was his second win of the year and was good enough to clinch the overall South West ICT Order of Merit Individual Title. His order of merit victory now takes him through to the National Final at Loughborough on 8th May.
Will Hobbs, also a Writhlington Academy member, beat a strong field at Enmore Park in Bridgwater to win the Somerset Schools Championship. His one under par 70 was good enough to win by a shot and also qualifies him for the South West Schools Championship in June. Will has also seen his handicap chopped to three. The Writhlington A team of Will, Josh and Liam Copp also came through to claim the Somerset Schools Team Event, narrowly beating Millfield A.
Farrington Men
Farrington started their Bristol and District league season with a tricky away tie against Kingsdown, but came away with a solid 3–2 victory. The opening pair of Clive Stilwell and Martin Walker lost 2 & 1, but the experienced Stuart Ponfield and Ben Cox romped home 5 & 4. George Hobbs and Liam Copp nearly allowed a five-hole advantage to slip away, but eventually closed out victory in their game on the final hole. Chris Shanks and Mark Crook secured the match with a fine 3 & 2 win, while Kevin Brimble and Shane Phelps slipped to a narrow 2 & 1 loss. Farrington's next fixture is away at the Players Club in May.
Results
Saturday Stableford, 20th April, Div. 1 (0–14): Mike Hillier 40 pts, Mark Chedgy 39, Paul Gregory 38*. Div. 2 (15–28): John Marquiss 41*, Alistair Huckle 40*, David Brain 40*. *Handicap reductions.
Farrington Seniors
The monthly Qualifying Stableford Competition, held on Wednesday, 24th April, saw the following results: Nearest the pin, 5th David Metcalfe, 8th Mike Daniel, 14th Mike Woodward, 15th Rob Thain. Competition Results – Div. 1: 1st Alan Elkington 41 points, 2nd Mike Bradbury 38 points, 3rd Brian Weeks 37 points. Div. 2: 1st Chris Liberty 40 points, 2nd Ray Cornish 38 points, 3rd Mike Astle 37 points. Div. 3: 1st Tony Edwards 37 points, 2nd Terry Beacham 36 points (countback), 3rd Tony Oxford 36 points.