The annual running of the Burnell Cup attracted an entry of 110 competitors at Mendip this week. The morning players enjoyed the best of the weather as by the afternoon, the wind had got up and there was steady light rain. Despite this, the top scores came from the later players. The course, bearing in mind it was the 1st May, was in tremendous order and the greens were fast running having benefitted from a good ‘ironing’ from the recently purchased greens mower.

Division Two was won by Liam Robertson, with 38 points and he was followed by Tim Bristow, with 37 and Nigel Wiltshire, third, with 35 after countback. Division Two was won by Richard Gumbleton, with 40 points, with Roland Greenway second, with 37, who in turn beat Terry Carter on countback. Division One saw an outstanding round from Gareth Roberts, playing off two, who scored 40 points (69 gross) and in so doing won the division and a handicap reduction to 1.4. However, this was not quite good enough to win the Cup as this went to a Division Two player, Chris Butland, who also carded 40 points, but who won on countback.

The men’s First Team played their first match in the Bristol and District league away to Henbury. Having been promoted to Division One last year, their task was made even more difficult when acting Captain, Paul Reakes, was faced with the unavailability, for varying reasons, of 14 of his lowest handicap players. In the event they fought gallantly, but went down 1-4 with new Mendip members, Jamie Phillips and Ryan Sainsbury, combining to gain Mendip’s point.

The Men’s Avalon A Team lost their match in Division Four of the Avalon league away to local rivals Wells 2-3. There were halves for Captain Paul Reakes/Alan Fussell and Dave Cox/Danny Middle and a win from Ian Fairclough/Jamie Phillips. The Avalon C Team kept up their fine form when beating Cannington away 4-1. There were wins for S. Whalen/P. Moores, C. Butland/T. Black, C. Copp/R. Clifford and S. Butland/T. Logan. This result leaves Mendip at the top of the league table, albeit early days.

The Ladies were faced with all kinds of weather when playing their Macmillan Spoons event. A close run affair saw yet another win for the rejuvenated Chris Olds, with 38 points, closely followed by June Page, on 37 and beating Aimee Sawyer on countback. Being a charity event, £104 was raised for Macmillan Nurses.

The Ladies Ping Four Ball Better?Ball event saw a win for Joan Clark/Anita Butcher, with 40 points, beating Chris Olds/Vi Hayes into second spot, with 38 and they in turn beat third placed, Libby Bellew/Elaine Kitchenham on countback.

The Somerset Ladies held their County Championships over three days at Bath Golf Club. The Champion this year is Hannah Grant, from Enmore, but there was an excellent performance from Mendip’s Aimee Sawyer, who ended up as runner up.

33 ladies played in the annual Granny Trophy event and were faced with ‘challenging’ conditions, in particular the increased speed of the greens. However, Granny Champion this year is Jan Fukuyama who carded an excellent 36 points just beating Elaine Kitchenham on 35 and Anne Hopkins on 32.

The Ladies Alliance B Team following their promotion to Division 3 of the Bristol Alliance are coming up against some very strong opposition. They fought hard in their most recent match only going down 6-8 to a very strong Henbury Team. There were wins for Linda Brobson, Edwina Willis and Karen Richards.

Tony Williams