The weekend of 1st and 2nd September saw fifteen players compete in the Farrington Park Junior Club Championships.

Day One saw some exceptional scoring, creating an exciting second round, grouping with reigning champion, Alex Marshall (77) leading by one shot from Junior Captain, Abby Gray (78) and by four from Jackson Carey (81). The battle for the Nett prize was just as fierce, with new eighteen hole junior, Libbie Dezis, fresh from a large handicap cut, shooting an eye-watering 64, closely followed by the ever-improving Caleb Wickham on 66. Day Two saw the three leaders out together with all with eyes on the prize! A crowed gathered on the patio overlooking the eighteenth green and witness the tense conclusion, and this time last year’s runner-up, Abby Gray, managed to get her hands on the Silverware with a final round of 82 to win with a total of 160, followed by Alex Marshall on 161, Alex Bendall on 163 (after shooting the tournament low round of 74) and Jackson Carey on 164. The nett prize was claimed by Libbie Dezis, with a total of 136 with runner-up Caleb Wickham on 137 and Josh Barlass on 141.

Well done, Abby and many thanks to all that took part in what was the best turn-out in many years.

Last year’s winners of the County Centenary Plate made it all the way through to the Final on Sunday to play against Worlebury at Bath Golf Club. Jackie Walker and Angela Hudd put up a magnificent fight and after losing the first hole, were either even or up right up until the 19th hole. A great putt from the Worlebury team put paid to them winning the Plate once again. Congratulations and commiserations in equal measure on a very fine effort. They were presented with the Runners-Up Vase by Amanda Mayne, President of the Somerset Ladies County Golf Association.

Also played this week was the Daily Mail Foursomes. This was a very small field, as it coincided with a popular Ladies Open – only 28 players took part, and the result was decided on countback with Lin Papas and Claire Salter taking the glory from Jacquie Gregory and June Symonds with 74 points. Third place went to Lena Warren and Rosi Brown. Warm weather tempted the ‘Saturday Ladies’ onto the Duchy course for the September Medal competition, including Paula Chivers, whose fine score of forty points in last week’s Stableford had earned her a handicap cut.

It was a day to capitalise on the good playing conditions and the field tried hard to do so; six birdies were recorded, including two spot birdies from Sharman Bradshaw (5th) and Jane Ball (8th). It seemed to be a day for ‘trick shots’, Jane Ball’s fourth shot onto the eighteenth green hit the flag stick and veered off. When she laughingly challenged her playing partner, Sue Forshaw to do the same; Sue promptly did so and made a birdie!

However, that rarest of ‘birds’ was found on the par-four fourth hole by Corrine Durbin. Corrine said: “I didn’t hit a particularly good drive on the fourth, so I took a rescue club to try and land the ball ‘soft’ on the green, instead, I thinned my second shot. I was very fortunate that the ball hit the bottom of the flag stick and went in! I put my Eagle down to correct aim and good luck!”

The final results were a close finish in Division One, Mandy Hobbs winning by one shot over Terri O’Shea, who beat June Symonds on countback into third place. Jane Ball won Division Two and received a handicap cut. Linda Rogers was second and Sue Forshaw took third spot.

Bobby stepped in to organise the Ladies Away Day at Orchardleigh at short notice and did a splendid job, with a fun format of step aside Texas Scramble, a good meal and some lovely prizes.

Seniors

Autumn is already here, complete with morning dew and chilly evenings. The early morning sun is more than welcome, especially in September.

With more than seventy Seniors competing for the Romaine Tantalus, a qualifying Stableford was the format for the day. The competition was split into three divisions with the Division Two players clearly coming out on top. Richard Dancey was first out, starting on the tenth tee and was clubhouse leader on 41 points, but was pipped to the post by Mike Hedges, on 42 points, to claim the trophy.

Results – Division One: Colin Glibbery 39, Dave Metcalfe 38, Steve Ball 37, Paul Cains 37, Rob Chappell 36. Division Two: Mike Hedges 42, Richard Dancey 41, Steve Cope 40, Tony Thorp 38, Tony Clement 38. Division Three: Alan Bishop 37, Mike Henton 36, Jeff Kelly 35, Boyd Francis 35, Steve Mitchell 33.