The Sycamore Trophy is a popular trophy competition with the Farrington Park ladies and forty-two signed up to play in it last Thursday.

The competition is held in memory of Chris Syme, a past member who loved trees; so, it is hoped that Chris would have approved of the copse of twenty native trees to the left of the third fairway that was planted last year by the ladies FLORA committee.

The format for the Sycamore Trophy is a Tennessee Waltz Stableford played in teams of three off an 85% handicap. Best score to count on the first hole, two best scores to count on the second hole and all scores to count on the third hole before repeating the process with the remaining holes. Some high scores can be made especially if everyone gets it right on the “all three to count” holes.

The lovely sunny weather of recent weeks had disappeared and the fourteen teams had to contend with heavy downpours and a fierce wind before “roasting” in hot sunshine for several minutes before it started to rain again and they had to don their waterproof clothing once more.

Only two two-spot birdies were recorded, made at the 5th hole by Gill Russell and the 15th hole by Maureen Charlton.

Five teams scored over 70 points. A seven-point score on the par 5 18th helped lift June Symonds, Jacqui Gregory and Gail Proctor to third place with 73 points, just surpassing two teams who finished on 72 &71 points, respectively. An eight-point score on the 15th including Maureen Charlton’s birdie and seven points scored on the 18th gave second place to her and fellow team members, Pauline Young and Corrina Bates with a total of 75 points.

The lowest ranked handicappers in the competition showed their class with steady scoring throughout, including eight points scored at the par 5 9th and seven points each at 12th & 18th. It was a great performance from Jackie Willcox, Mandy Hobbs and Jackie Walker, who finished with 78 points to win the Sycamore Trophy in fine style.

Jane Ball