It was major competition time at Farrington Park, with 120 entrants in the Men’s Max Stone Chalice, played over two days with the champion having the best nett score.

The course was in great condition, with challenging pin positions. However, the biggest problem for the competitors was the very gusty wind, which led to some very high scoring on certain holes, especially the par four 12th.

It was a good day for the younger players on Day One. Jack Broadway was in second place with a nett 73, but youngster, Jackson Carey, had an even better round with a terrific score of nett 71 (one under par). Later in the day, John Burton matched Jackson’s score.

This year, an additional trophy was on offer, kindly donated by Club Captain, Rob Riccio. The Riccio Trophy was for the best gross score over the two days. On Day One, the leader was Liam Copp, with a gross 77. Day Two saw all to play for, but the wind was still blowing strongly. In the Riccio Trophy, an outstanding score from Craig Adams, with a gross 73 to add to his first day score of gross 81, totalling 154, was enough to see off the challenge of the overnight leader, Liam Copp, who scored gross 79, totalling 156.

In the Max Stone Chalice, good scores of nett 74 were recorded by Seamus Ivory and Jackson Carey. Jack Broadway matched his Day One score, with another nett 73. The round of the day, in very windy conditions, was Dave Allardyce, with a fantastic nett 68. Added to his Day One score of nett 75, a total of nett 143, meant Dave was this year’s champion and winner of the Max Stone Chalice and Green Jacket.

The Men’s Committee would like to thank Head Greenkeeper, Andy Grabham and his team for presenting a course in great condition. Many thanks are due to last year’s Ladies’ Captain, Bobby Appleby, who acted as starter for both days, and Liz Thomas who helped with the administration.

Seniors

On a gloriously sunny day, a huge field of almost eighty players took to the fairways of Farrington Park. Playing a monthly medal off the forward tees, scoring was predictably low. Seniors’ Captain, Phil Thompson, won Division One with a nett 68, Tony Thorp shot a 67 in Division Two, but without doubt, the round of the day came from Division Three player, Bill Waddington, with a remarkable nett 62 off a handicap of 25. His euphoria was quickly doused on hearing his new handicap was 21. Friendly Match Results: Home to Orchardleigh, won 4­–2; home to Wheathill, won 3.5–2.5; away to Tall Pines, won 4–2.

Ladies

Farrington Park Ladies have been enjoying great success in team games recently. Jackie Walker and Angela Hudd beat a duo from Cricket St Thomas in the second round of the Centenary Plate at Taunton Pickeridge Golf Club by winning 2&1. They will now face Orchardleigh Ladies at Burnham and Berrow in the third round.

Pauline Young and Maureen Charlton battled through a tough match to defeat a pair from Mendip Spring in the national Mail on Sunday foursomes competition in the fourth round at home. After being two up with two to play, Mendip Spring Ladies fought back to level the match after eighteen. A par on the nineteenth hole was enough to give Pauline and Maureen victory, who now travel away to play Honiton Ladies in the fifth round.

Farrington Park Ladies’ Rogers Cup team have also triumphed, by beating Oake Manor Ladies at Long Sutton, by five games to two. Farrington Park Ladies expected a tough time against Oake Manor, who had defeated the holders, Bath Sham Ladies, in the first round.

On the domestic front, after her heroics the previous weekend, Thomas Cup Champion, Jo Carter, scored 32 points off her new reduced handicap in the Saturday Stableford on 10th June. However, it was Sue Stilwell’s day, who secured top spot with a sparkling 39 points, with Jackie Walker taking second place with 35 points.

The Coronation Foursomes was held on 8th June in wet and windy conditions, scoring was tough, but the winners, Bobby Appleby and Clare Salter, achieved 31 points. Jenny Ahlberg and Lena

Warren had 30 points and were second on countback, with third spot going to Carol King and Lally Gibson, also with 30 points.

35 ladies took part on Ladies’ Thursday morning on the 15th June, in the EWGA Medal. Mandy Hobbs had a stunning round with a nett 66. Mandy won the Silver Division, with second place going to Clare Salter, with a nett 73 on countback, and third was Rosi Brown, also with a nett 73.