With Rory’s chances of adding to his Majors haul scuppered for another year, it was left to the Farrington Park Mixed Section to bring some real drama to the table in the Parker Charity Shield.

A couple of days of sunshine ensured that the course was in fine condition and almost back to its full playing length. The Parker Charity Shield is the first trophy competition of the season, and one of the more enjoyable formats, American Greensomes, which is very popular with the Mixed fraternity. Competition was fierce, with only four points covering the top five teams.

Our thanks go to former member and Lady Captain, Ann Parker, for very generously providing bottles of fine wine for the trophy winners and to the Catering and Bar staff for their excellent service. Also to Head Greenkeeper, Andy Graham, and his miracle workers for presenting the course in such good condition so early in the season.

Winners of the Parker Charity Shield were Phil Thompson and Bobby Appleby, with 41 points, runners-up were Steve and June Symonds with 40 points and in third place, Dave and Sue Forshaw, with 39 points.

Seniors

On a wet, miserable, dank April morning, rather surprisingly the golf was pleasantly sparkling. Golfers across the country for the past three months have been fed a diet of snow, hurricanes and relentless rain. Encountering weather you would not walk a dog in, some may question the sanity of such a motley bunch.

However, unable to exercise on a regular basis has resulted in those extra pounds not being shifted, and don’t even mention getting under the feet of our lovely ladies at home! So, what a joy with April well underway, the sun shining, the smell of freshly mown grass and the familiar sound of the cherished golf ball dropping sweetly into the hole. What a joy!

Results from a non-qualifying Stableford over 13 holes – Division Two: Alan Elkington 27 points, Jeff Bruton 26 points, Rob Thain 26 points. Division Two: Bill Waddington 28 points, Jim Farmer 22 points, Tony Clement 21 points. Division Three: Richard Collier 28 points, Steve Banfield 24 points, Ian Clement 22 points. Nearest the Pins on 8th, Rob Thain, 14th Fred Grist, 15th Pete Maule, 17th Jim Farmer.

Friendly Match Results: Winning 4–3 at home to Wells, followed by a 4–3 victory away to Stockwood Vale.

Next fixtures are at home to the Isle of Wedmore followed by an away fixture at The Kendleshire.

Ladies

At long last the sun shone on a Thursday and the Ladies were able to play in sunny, spring weather. The birds, recognising that Spring had sprung, were in fine voice, accompanying the players as they made their way around the course. Although the green woodpeckers were calling all the time, they seemed to time their mocking laughter-like calls until just after a player had made a bad shot!

Originally the competition had been scheduled to be the first Medal of the season, but with the Duchy course still restricted to thirteen holes, this could not take place. Instead a non-qualifying Stableford competition was held. Margaret Seery took advantage of the fine conditions to be the overall winner in Division One. “It was just one of those days”, she said modestly. “Everything went right for me.”

Division Two saw some close scores, with Kay Clarke taking top spot and count back determining the remaining places. Also worthy of mention was Jackie Hobbs’ fourth shot on the par 5 11th hole. Jackie chipped in from off the green for a birdie 4. “My best shot of the day!” she said.

The results from the competition are as follows:

Division One: h’caps 0–28 – 1st Margaret Seery, 30 points, 2nd Clare Salter, 27 points, 3rd Carol King 26 points, 4th Gail Proctor, 25 points.

Division Two: h’caps 29–54 – 1st Kay Clarke, 21 points, 2nd Linda Rogers, 20 points (on c/b) 3rd Maureen Goodsir, 20 points (on c/b), 4th Sue Forshaw, 20 points.