Farrington Park Ladies Club Championship was held on 8th and 9th July, where 22 women entered the top competition of the year in the Ladies’ calendar. The perfect golfing conditions on a beautiful summer weekend set the scene for the competitive two-day event.

On the first day, junior, Abby Gray, led the field in the gross competition by two shots with a gross 82 from Lena Warren, followed by Jackie Walker, a further shot behind on 85. In the Nett Competition, Wendy Butt went into Day Two with a nett 70, a one shot lead over Lena Warren who had a nett 71, with Angela Hudd, in third, with a nett 72.

On the second day, Abby held firm and increased her lead by one more shot, coming in with a gross 85, achieving a combined total of 167 to become Farrington Park Ladies Club Champion. Lena had a combined gross total of 170 to take second Gross and the ‘Not so Young’ trophy for the top Senior Lady. Jackie’s combined score of 172 gave her third place.

Angela Hudd’s brilliant day two nett score of 70, gave her a combined total of 142 and earned her the Nett Club Champion. In second place was Lena Warren, with a combined nett of 144 on countback. Only one prize can be received by a player, therefore, second place was awarded to Wendy Butt, also with a combined nett of 144. Third place went to Margaret Seery, with a combined nett of 145 on countback. Other prizes were awarded to those ladies who were not in the main prizes.

Best Gross Day One: Mandy Hobbs, Best Nett Day One: Pauline Young, Best Gross Day Two: Sue Stilwell and Best Nett Day Two: Sharman Bradshaw. Two spots were won by Suzanne Young, Wendy Butt and Angela Hudd on Day One and Rosi Brown and Mandy Hobbs on Day Two.

Lally Gibson and Carol King, who are both enjoying a successful season, paired up in Thursday’s Jackman Trophy; a Four Ball Better Ball competition. With many ladies away golfing elsewhere, the field of 34 was smaller than usual. Lally and Carol carded an excellent 41 points to take first prize and the trophy from second place Bridget Rylance and Fiona Hassard with 39 points. Gill Russell and Heather Woodland were third, with 38 points and Bobby Appleby and Pauline Brixey came in fourth, with 36 points on countback.

Men

In great summer conditions it was all to play for in the Saturday Stableford (8th July) and taking control of the Division was Simon Waller, on 42 points, followed closely by Roger Franklyn, on 41 points, beating Paul Gregory into third on countback. An outstanding score form Jon Brignull, with 43 points in Division Two, topping the charts followed by Dave Brain, on 41 points and Alan Smith, a close third, on 39 points.

With the summer sunshine continuing the following day, there was a great round of golf from young Alex Marshall, with 40 points, followed in second by in form Dave Harvey, on 39 points, beating Dave Forshaw into third on countback. In Division Two there was an outstanding performance from Ian Biddle on 42 points, followed in second by Paul Goddard, on 38 points and Wayne Smith, third, on 35 points.

Seniors

‘The Match’ is traditionally a Four Ball Better Ball competition played by Ladies versus Senior Men over eighteen holes on the Duchy Course. Months of meticulous preparation, involving nutritionists, personal trainers and physiotherapists had the Senior Men at the peak of physical fitness and mentally finely tuned! What they had not considered was the weather.

The plan was to lull the Ladies into a sense of false security by a seemingly uncharacteristically poor display on the front nine holes, then steamroller them on the back nine.

But their cunning plan was thwarted by none other than – RAIN! It was agreed that if the weather conditions deteriorated the competition would be played over the front nine holes only.

Well done, Ladies, on winning for the second year running with a fine 6–3 victory. The Men are already discussing a plan even more cunning than this year’s cunning plan!