Mendip’s Captains held their drive-in event with a packed field of 144 players, two teams to a tee, enjoying a shotgun start. Amazingly, with so many players on the course, the speed of play moved steadily along, and most players were back to watch the drive-in itself in a little over four hours.

The packed Clubhouse were well-fed, and the traditional presentation of the Captain’s jackets was made. Incoming Club Captain, John Shakesby, and Ladies’ Captain, Bron Cooper, welcomed all present and set out their hopes for their year as Captains. John’s chosen Charity is St Margaret’s Hospice, and Bron wishes to support The Teenage Cancer Trust. They will share all monies raised for these very worthwhile causes.

The Mens A Team, playing in Division Three of the Avalon league, got their campaign off to a very good start with an away win at a very wet Brean by 3½-1½. Wins for Mendip came from Rich Gumbleton/Danny Middle, Wayne Black/Steve Moore and Wayne Srawley playing with new Team Captain, Steve Coate, with Brian Rawlings/Simon Grant gaining a half.

The Men’s C Team have also started their league campaign in strong fashion. Firstly at home to Vivary Park, they won 4½-½, with wins for Tom Lowe/Chris Butland, Scott Butland/Dan Allen, Ryan Sainsbury/M. Sharpe and Tom Chapman/Malcolm Srawley, with Clive Copp/Rob Richardson gaining a half.

This was followed up by a storming 5-0 home win over Isle of Wedmore. Winning pairs were Scott Butland/Dan Allen, Ryan Sainsbury/M. Sharpe, Tom Chapman/

Malcolm Srawley (this game saw birdies-galore, with Mendip needing two of them to Wedmore’s one over the last three holes to win one-up, Clive Copp/Philip Moores and P Kivi/Rob Richardson.

34 Ladies battled the conditions in their first medal of the year. Winning Silver Division with a net-81 was Jean Padfield, with Fran Davies second with 82 and in third place Chris Olds with 84. Nichola Croft won Bronze Division with 82 and she was followed by Anne Collins with 86, who beat June Page on count-back. Allison Rumming won the Copper Division with 86 on count-back from Wendy Norman, with Sue Needham third with 92.

For those ladies not fancying an eighteen-hole medal, there was an alternative stableford event. This attracted fifteen entrants, which was won by Carol Mosley with seventeen points, with Joan Clark second with sixteen points and Caroline Simper third with fifteen points after count-back.

There was a further group of ladies who fancied neither event, and played their social golf. Which proves the point that Mendip provides golf to satisfy everyone, whether they are ‘competitive’ players or not.

The Ladies’ B Team commenced their Bristol and District Alliance campaign with an excellent win by 10-4 against Filton. Wins for Mendip came from Lynn Cox, Chris Olds, Jean Padfield, Hilary Rowdon and Elaine Kitchenham.

The Seniors had two fixtures and were victorious in both, firstly against Cumberwell, where the margin of victory was 4-2 and secondly against Kingsdown, where the score was 4-3. Winners against Cumberwell were John Brooksbank/Steve Cox, Bryan Lewis/Michael Sharp, Andy Frampton/John Cross and finally John Whyman/Norman Squire. Against Kingsdown there were wins for Alan Evans-Jones/Martin Osborne, Mike Lill/Henry Banks, Terry Pavey/Jim Mallon and halves were gained by Peter Restorick/John Stembridge and Peter Rumming/Selwyn Rees.

Many volunteers have come forward to help with Mendip’s Open Day on Monday, 7th May. The event is aimed at potential new players to the game, youngsters and indeed anyone who would like to see what Mendip can offer. There will be coaching available, the chance to walk part of the Course and even the opportunity to play a few holes. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and refreshments of all sorts will be available throughout the day.

Tony Williams