Farrington Park’s Jackie Walker and Angela Hudd won the Somerset Ladies Centenary Plate at Stockwood Vale Golf Club on 4th September, by beating Mendip Spring Ladies 2&1.
Jackie and Angela’s route to success began in April, when they won their foursomes match against at Saltford.
In the second round match, they faced Cricket St Thomas Ladies at Taunton and Pickeridge. After another victory, Jackie and Angela travelled to Burnham and Berrow, and defeated Orchardleigh Ladies in the third round. Their Semi-Final match at Clevedon against Weston-super-Mare Ladies had a resounding result of 4&3.
In the final at Stockwood Vale, the attending referees commented that Jackie and Angela’s short game was superior to their opponents and gave them the edge.
Farrington Park’s Ladies Captain, Pauline Young, was thrilled at the victory, especially as it was eleven years since Farrington Park won the colourful plate, in which she and Pauline Brixey teamed up in 2006. Congratulations to Angela and Jackie – a fantastic result, and they thoroughly deserved it.
In other Ladies’ news, Thursday, 7th September was ‘Mara’s Morning’, a trophy competition. 36 ladies competed in the Qualifying Stableford competition.
Pauline Young won the trophy with 38 points and earned herself a handicap reduction. In second place was Rosi Brown, with 35 points, in third was Lally Gibson, with 33 points on countback; in fourth was Gail Proctor, also with 33 points, and fifth was Clare Salter, with 32 points. Nearest the pin on the 8th in the Silver Division was won by Bobby Appleby. Pauline Brixey and Gail Proctor were the only two ladies to achieve a two-spot.
Seniors
A record entry of 87 senior golfers assembled at Farrington Park for the Senior Captain’s Day. On a beautifully warm, sunny day, Captain Phil Thompson decided to put the full course to work by using white, yellow, green and red tees. Prizes for nearest the pin in one, two and three shots were up for grabs on fourteen of the eighteen holes, with spoils of the bottle-shaped variety kindly supplied by local sponsors and Farrington Park.
A Stableford competition was the order of the day and with the variety of tees in use, second and third shots were being taken from some very unusual places! The overall winner on the day was Fred Grist, with an impressive 43 points, winning him a host of prizes, the most useful of all being an umbrella – always handy on regular trips to Wales!
After nine holes, everyone was invited to test their skills on the simulator. The majority of players seriously under-clubbed, but the winner on the day, getting within nine feet of the hole, was Neil Morgan.
Following the prizegiving, senior golfer, Bob Earney, presented a cheque for £1,036 towards the Air Ambulance charity. This fantastic amount was raised by many members of the golf club who sponsored Bob on his weight loss programme. Suffice to say, that now known as ‘sixpence’ as he’s only half a bob (younger readers please Google) losing an admirable 100lbs (younger readers that’s 45kgs), in just seven months. Well done Bob on your dedication and belief.
Huge thanks to Phil for organising a fun day, Paul Adams for running the simulator competition, and to Ray Vickers, for his tireless contribution on a busy day. Vice-Captain, Ray Guthrie, is already in touch with specialist advisors for next year’s competition.