Mendip’s first Open event of the year attracted a full entry of 47 teams of three players each, with entries from many different clubs from Somerset and adjoining counties.
Poor weather meant that conditions were extremely difficult. However, the majority of entrants completed their rounds. The members’ prize went to Mark Bowers, Chris Bennett and Dave Kent, with 83 points, just beating off the challenge from I. Redpath, I. Edes and Rob Richardson, with 82 points.
The visitors’ prize went to a combined team from Malborough and Wrag Barn, with 78 points, with a further combined team from Chipping Sodbury, Saltford and The Players Club runners up, with 77 points. However, the overall prize went to a home team, all ex-Frome players, Malcolm Strawley, Wayne Strawley and Tony Logan, who carded an excellent 84 points.
The continuing bad weather meant that the entrants to Mendip Men’s March Tankard event faced challenging conditions and in fact, several players did not complete their round. Scoring was so poor that the event became a non-qualifier. Winning Division 3, with 34 points, was Rob Wells, beating Glynn Haddock on countback, with James Boyce third, with 32 points. Division 2 saw the equal best round of the day with Club Chairman, Ian Fairclough, scoring 37 points, six clear of second place, Trevor Messenger, 31 points, beating Ken Langridge on countback. Division 1 saw victory for Justin Dodd, with an excellent 37 points, with a triple tie for second on 32 points, which resulted in Troy Chivers second, Steve Rawlings third and Simon Messenger fourth.
The hardy ladies of Mendip faced a bitterly cold wind, with the early starters faced with a snowstorm which then turned to driving rain. Understandably, the Stableford event became a non-qualifier. Chris Olds continued her 2015 form by winning Division 1 with the best score of the day, followed by June Millington and Marian Speed. Division 2 was won by Diana Stephenson, who was followed by Chris Williams and Alison Letts and Division 3 was won by Ann Collins, with Sarah McNab second and Alison Rummings, third.
Mendip Seniors continue to look for their first win of the season. In their latest encounter they visited a very muddy Cumberwell Park and came away with a 2–4 defeat. There was a win for Jim Mallon and John Stembridge, with Steve Stephenson and Bryan Lewis and Norman Squire and Dave Pilbeam gaining halves.
The Seniors’ first Qualifying Stableford event of the season attracted a full field of 72 competitors. Division 2 saw victory for Adam Spragg, with 37 points, with John Brooksbank second, with 35 and John Cross third, with 33 after countback. Division 1 saw an excellent round of clean hitting golf from Adrian Brooking Clark, winning with 39 points and gaining a handicap reduction to 11, with Phil Bendall runner up, with 38 and Brian Smith third, with 37.
28 members of Mendip Golf Club who play in the C & B Society visited Cornwall for their annual Tour. As usual, this was brilliantly organised by Alan Evans-Jones. Unfortunately, at the last minute, he was unable to attend. However, his able deputy, Keith Beasley, took control and all went well. The golf was challenging, but most enjoyable and the prizes were pretty well shared out over the three days.
Tony Williams