The Met Office prediction was rain, thunder, lightning, the whole nine yards. What did we get? None of the above! From the off it was a glorious sunny day, and no sign of inclement weather. Maybe we were just plain lucky.

With couples participating in their first-ever Mixed event, and others thankfully filling in as last minute replacements, an exciting day was enjoyed by all. A Four-Ball Better Ball was the format for the playing of the Stilwell Salver, and scoring was extremely competitive, with only two points covering the the top six teams – those errant drives and short-missed putts proving to be quite expensive.

Victorious on the day, and needing no psychic intervention, were the Balls – not crystal but Steve and Jane, who pipped the field by one, winning with 42 points. Mystic Meg is now officially redundant and seeking alternative employment. Good luck there then!

Post-match drinks and joviality ensued and all went home, joyously fed and watered.

It was all tight at the top of the Men’s Division One in the Saturday Stableford, with three players all on forty points, with Shaun Rawlings taking the honours in first place, with Paul Broadway second on count-back and Seamus Ivory taking third spot on the same score.

In Division Two, Mike Pollock topped the league with 38 points, beating Matt Horler into second on count-back and Nick Farrar a close-third on 37 points.

With the course drying out very quickly, Mark Chedgy took the honours in Division One with forty points, followed by Guy Adams close on 39 points in second and Phil Heyslop third on 38 points. A fantastic round in Division Two from Mark Abrahams with an outstanding 44 points, followed in second by Jeff Hayward on 36 points, beating Steve Harmer into third on count-back.

Every year, the Senior Section at Farrington Park compete for the Wally Sage Trophy. There are many senior members who still remember Wally, who sadly passed away in 2006, a larger-than-life character who once met was never forgotten. As new members join and compete for the trophy, they are all curious as to the character of the Big Man. He was a much-liked and popular member who enjoyed his golf and the socialising that went with it. His widow, Jean Sage, still enjoys her golf at Farrington and very kindly agreed to present the trophy to this year’s winners.

Winners of the Wally Sage Trophy were Rob Thain, Bill Waddington and Steve Park, with 94 points. Second with 92 points were Ray Guthrie, Alan Elkington and Dave Lewis. In third place with 83 points were Mike Bradbury, Phil Bryant and Nigel Punchard.

Nearest the Pins on fifth, Bill Waddington; fourteenth, Steve Banfield; fifteenth, Eric Nott; seventeenth in two, Tony Quinn.

Jon Cowgill