Farrington Park’s Avalon team has been promoted to Division One of the Avalon League after a dramatic fight-back by Mark and Guy Adams to secure the vital point at Orchardleigh.

Although Brean were beaten 3–2, a 3–2 home defeat to Cricket St Thomas left everything hinging on the final match. With Taunton and Pickeridge Stags dropping points, it was Isle of Wedmore who set the target for the team and they knew that avoiding defeat at Orchardleigh would be good enough to see them through.

Duncan and Steve Longden were off first and lost 6&4. Dave Jewell and Jamie Rawlings took control of the next game and were three up after fourteen, finally winning 2&1.

George Hobbs and Mark Crook were up against a very strong pair and at three down early on, they did well to battle the conditions and quality golf of their opponents to finally lose on the eighteenth.

Nick Poore and Paul Thomas were soon two down, both struggling with wet grips, but after changing to wet weather gloves, they fought back to be dormie two on the 17th tee. After hitting the green, Paul missed a 2ft putt to win the match, but redeemed himself gaining the half on 18 to secure the win.

With the score at 2–2, it was left to the two Adams to secure the half required. Team mascot for the day, Phil Heyslop, brought news that they were suffering in the wet and two down early on.

The entire season depended on the eighteenth. The Adams were one down and needed to win the hole. As the whole team gathered round the final green in anticipation, Guy’s approach shot nestled close to the pin, pressuring the home pair into the handshake

that secured Farrington’s promotion. Congratulations to all involved during the season.

Adrian Cronin won the Saturday Stableford played in typical bank holiday weather with 41 points, but some good scoring was recorded. Andy Nichols was only beaten into second place on countback while Gary Prater was third on 40 points. In Division Two, it was all tight at the top with three players on 39 points. Eric Withey claimed top spot on countback, with Jake Russell second and Paul Goodridge in third place. Jon Brignull topped Division Three with an outstanding 45 points, followed by Dave Jones on 36 points beating Gary Payne into third on countback.

Seniors

The Seniors’ competition was the Tennessee Waltz format on a day with rain forecast, so everyone was keen to dance around the course as quickly as possible. Thankfully, all players had completed their game before the light drizzle arrived.

Keith Shepherd, Tony James and Nigel Punchard were first with 95 points, followed on 90 by Graham Price, David Brown and Len Salter with Rob Thain, Bob McKeegan-Brown and Pete Maule on 88. Tony Russell, Neil Morgan and Pierce O’Shea scored 87 and Tony Quinn, Rick Clark and Steve Gay, 86. Nearest the pins on 5th: Philip Michael, 8th: Brian Brown, 14th: Steve Ball, 15th: Steve Cook. Knowle were beaten 4–3 on a home friendly match.

Ladies

Pauline Young and Maureen Charlton won the Foursomes competition and will now represent Farrington Park Ladies in the prestigious National Daily Mail Foursomes in 2017. They also qualified in 2014 and enjoyed a very successful run reaching the fifth round (last 64) before losing to a tough duo from Painswick Ladies on the nineteenth hole. This year, they competed against 21 other Farrington Park Ladies’ teams. The winners shot net 69, four shots better than Elaine Davidson and Jane Ball on 73. Sue Stilwell and Mandy Hobbs followed on 75 with Clare Salter and June Symonds.