This competition was instigated in 1995 by the then captains, Clive and Sue Stilwell and is a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford played off an 85% handicap.

Fourteen pairs signed up for the event, no doubt hoping the lovely warm spring weather of the past weeks would continue. Alas, the weather forecast deceived everyone and instead of a cloudy, dry day, the entire competition took place in relentless rain which soaked everything.

However, the final scores did not reflect the awful conditions. Lee Bruton and Lena Warren had teamed up together for the first time and scored 42 points to take fourth place, beating Corinne and Danny Durbin on countback. Lee also took the men’s prize for “Nearest the Pin” on the par 3 fifth.

Steve and June Symonds scored one point better, taking third place with 43 points. Lin Papadopoullos won the ladies’ prize for “Nearest the Pin” on the par 3 15th and with partner Rob Thain they scored 44 points to take second place. The winners had an amazing round considering their 85% handicaps were 8 & 14. Martin and Jackie Walker scored mostly three points per hole on the front 9 holes and were nearly as good on the back 9. They eventually finished with 46 points, making this a hat trick of wins, having previously won in 2005 and 2010 and were presented with the Salver by Clive Stilwell.

Division One players had a qualifying Stableford whereas Division Two players with handicaps of 20.1 to 36 had a qualifying competition for the Somerset County Barlow Cup. Division Three players with handicaps of 36.1 to 54 had a nine-hole competition on the Duchy’s front nine holes for the County Grass Roots Trophy.

In Division 1, Wendy Butt continued her very good form of recent weeks and scored 38 points to take first place, five points clear of Gail Proctor in second place, Pauline Young was third with 32 points.

Division 3’s County Grass Roots qualifier resulted in a third place for Maureen Tayler with 14 points, second place went to Jane Richardson with 15 points. Issey Panton has been playing good golf recently and her hard work has paid off when she scored 18 points to become Farrington Park’s representative in the final to be played at Mendip Springs.

There was very good and close scoring in division 2’s Barlow Cup qualifier. Margaret Seery has been a birdie-making machine on the par 3 holes recently and she was at it again with the only two-spot birdie of the day at the par 3 5th hole. Her 37 points gave her fifth place beating Lo Dallocco on countback. A trio of ladies scored 38 points, Cynthia Miller clinched second place on countback from Kath Cox and Jackie James, but the winner was five points clear of the field. Sue Skyrme scored an impressive 43 points and will represent Farrington Park at the Barlow Cup final. Jane Ball