Farrington Park held their first Men’s major two-day competition of the season recently, the Max Stone Chalice.
This is a medal competition with the champion being the player with the best nett score over the two rounds. This format gives players of all handicaps the chance to win. There is also a trophy, kindly sponsored by Rob Riccio, for the best gross score over the two rounds. With 97 competitors battling against the tough conditions over the two days of the competition, it was a real test of golf with quick greens, unfavourable winds and heavy rain showers.
The first day’s play started with a testing tee shot straight into a strong wind, and the conditions did not alter throughout the day. However, many of the competitors managed to achieve some good scores. In fifth place on Day One was Simon Park (90/72), closely followed by Jack Vowell (77/72) in fourth place. Third placed David Morgan (83/71) was one shot behind Jamie Lake (81/70), but the Round of the Day and the only player with a score under 70 was Andy Penney (75/68).
In the quest for the Riccio Trophy, Jack Vowell and Andy Penney were joined by Danny Farnen (77) and Chris Shanks (76). Nearest the Pin winner on the 8th hole was Gordon Mackay.
Day Two weather conditions were very similar, with the wind causing problems on holes 12 and 17 for many of the golfers. Some players managed better than others, with notable rounds coming from Andrew Pawley, Steve Blackwell, Alex Bendall, Carl Dezis and Tom Snelling. The field went out in reverse order, the leaders going out last and finding the going tough, having to play against a freshening wind.
The two players who matched their rounds from Day One were Chris Shanks and Danny Farnen. The Nearest the Pin winner on the 15th hole was Steve Blackwell. Chris Shanks’ gross scores of 76 and 75 (151) made him the Riccio Trophy winner for the best overall gross score.
The winner of the Max Stone Chalice for the best nett score over the two days was Danny Farnen with a total of 152/144, beating Chris Shanks by one shot. Well done to both players for producing some excellent golf.
Men’s Captain, Gary Prater, presented both winners with their trophies and thanked the many people involved in making the competition such a success: Andy Grabham and his greenkeeping team, the Men’s Committee (especially Chris Liberty for the organisation of the competition), the bar and catering staff and a huge thank you to Bobby Appleby, who had been a brilliant starter over the two days.
Steve Ball