75 boys and girls competed in the Wee Wonders South West Regional Final on the nine hole Manor Course at Farrington Park on Saturday. Children between the ages of five and twelve had qualified through the many regional qualifiers around the country to compete in the Under-12s national competition, now in its twentieth year. The top two from each age group earn a place at the Grand Final at St Andrews at the end of August.

Farrington Park has hosted the event every year since its inception and the standard of play from the children has always been extremely high. This year was no exception, and nine-year-old Toby Clark shot the best score of the day, with a gross 27, winning the 9–10 boys category. Farrington Park had eight juniors playing in the final and three of them made it though to the Grand Final. Brothers, Caleb and Harley Wickham, advanced through the 11-12 boys and 5-6 boys with scores of 28 and 42 respectively. Oliver Barlass also won the 7-8 boys with a gross 31. We are very proud of all of them and wish them the best of luck at St Andrews in August.

Seniors

Traditionally, the first week of Wimbledon heralds the falling to the wayside of British players and daily rain delays. This year, however, our men and ladies have performed well and rain has been conspicuous by its absence. Indeed, spectators have wilted in the extreme heat.

Senior golfers are made of stronger stuff! The Seniors’ Club Championship is always a hotly contested affair, and this year’s competition was no exception. With temperatures in the 90s and no wind to speak of, it was evident that some really low scores were in the offing. With gross and net trophies up for grabs, some familiar names were mentioned in dispatches. However, anyone who has ever played with Mike Woodward will know that he will always jest his ‘lot of bad luck’. Not on this occasion – a sparkling round of 83 ensured his lifting of the Gross Trophy by two clear shots from Steve Symonds. Net champion, Philip Michael, winning by a similar margin to runner-up, Alan Skivington.

Men

It was medal time at Farrington Park again on 1st July, with Senior Captain, Phil Thompson, taking control of Division One with a great score of 79–69, followed in second place by Huw Jones, with 83–71 and Mark Chivers, third, with 84–71.

In Division Two, Jon Cox enjoyed the fast fairways with 85–67 with Jon Brignull in second with 86–68, beating John Marquiss into third on countback, 83–68.

In links course conditions, a great round from Lee Sparkes in Division One’s Sunday Stableford, with 39 points, took the honours, with Andy Coles a close second on 38 points, beating Chris Shanks into third on countback. In Division Two, Simon Kidd topped the table with 36 points and Andrew Robinson, in second on 35 points and Jon Brignull, third, on 32 points.