WHEN Stuart Disney came to Mendip Golf Club in 2017, the Junior section of the club had been non existent for a number of years. Since then it has continued to flourish with the close attention of the Pro Team, namely Head Pro Alex Todd and Professional Sam Scriven.

A growing number of youngsters are gaining handicaps, probably approaching the 50 mark and the junior beginners group are seeing an increasing number of very young ones gaining experience with the Pro Shop Coaching sessions.

Tom Snelling, the latest PGA Professional to join the Mendip Team, has taken on the role of Junior Organiser and ran the recent and very successful Junior Club Championships with the assistance of various parents, including Nola Russell and Aimee Sawyer. There were three separate events, the Championship, an 18 hole Stableford and a 9 hole Stableford. The young competitors, while setting off in calm conditions, soon encountered heavy rain and a delay due to lightening in the area. However they proved very resilient and determined to get back onto the course to complete their rounds.

The Junior Club Champion this year is Owen Roach with a gross 78, two shots ahead of his brother Ollie with Charlie Petheram in 3rd place on count back. The Net winner was Alec Roberts with an excellent net 68 adding to his Trophy tally, having won the Net prize in the Men’s Club Championships. Runner up was Harper Howerd and 3rd place went to Oscar Alexander.

The 18 hole Stableford went to Lauren Morris with Logan Down in 2nd place. A special mention must go to Chester Brand who played valiantly off the yellow tees at 8 years old. A name to look out for in the future. And finally the 9 hole Stableford Played off the Blue Tees was won by Rory Snelling , another 8 year old star in the making, scoring 21 points to win by a point from Danny Comber

Now to other news. 109 competed in the annual running of the Jim Jeffrey Putter. Div 1 was won by Ben Park with a net 68 with Jonathan Watts 2nd with 70 on count back from Jack Cook. Div 2 went to James Richards with 70 on count back from Martin Thatcher and Andy Laing and Div 3 was won by Simon Kidd with 69 with Rob Ware 2nd with 71 and Paul Antell 3rd with 73. However the overall winner was Shaun Rich with an outstanding 65, well done Shaun. The Gross Prize went to Stuart Ponfield with a fine 2 under par 69.

A total of 45 Ladies played in the Qualifying Stableford. Div 1 went to Maureen Charlton with 36 points with Fiona Hassard 2nd with 35 and Anita Butcher 3rd with 32 on count back. Div 2 was won by Penny Oliver with 38, Louise Scott was 2nd with 35 and Lillian Peel was 3rd with 33. Div 3 saw a win for Pat Roscow with 31, Nicola Ogilvie was 2nd with 30 and Min Woodward was 3rd with 29.

However the overall winner was Pauline Young with 39 points. A further 11 ladies played in the 9 hole Stableford won by Maggie Brain with 19 points after count back from Elaine Richardson.

Tony Williams