Despite being well into winter, some members still wish to try and reduce their handicaps by playing in Mendip’s Winter Qualifiers. In the latest, good scores were recorded by Phillip Cookson, with 37 points, which gained him third place, Colin Wiltshire scored 38 and came second, but the overall winner was Mike Merrick, with 40 points.
The last of the Turkey Trot events was the Singles which drew a full entry of over 90 competitors. On 38 points there was to be a countback which left Nick Cox, in third position and Mike Snaith, in second position. However clear winner, with 42 points, was Alan O’Leary, who always seems to play his best golf ‘out of season’!
The Seniors held their Turkey Trot event and attracted a near record entry of 73 competitors. Despite the hard frosts, the main greens were in play and with hard running fairways, scoring was very high indeed. 38 proved a popular score which after countback left Alan Edwards in fourth position, Chris Bennett in third and Mike Snaith second. However, five shots clear of the field was Hugh Rowdon with 43 points, clearly taking full advantage of the fact that the handicap committee are on their winter break!
The Seniors’ event was followed by their AGM and a good attendance heard that the Section is in good shape and had enjoyed a very successful season under Seniors’ Captain David Pilbeam. 41 matches had taken place with a full mixture of results, the constant theme being ‘enjoyment’. Some 81 different players had taken part. Incoming Captain is Henry Banks, who has made a full recovery from his heart problem earlier in the year, and he introduced Andy Frampton who is to be his Captain Elect. After a three year stint Bill Chard was standing down as Treasurer with newish member Nick Inskip taking over the financial reins.
Now they say that all good things, like London Buses, come in threes. After a long time in the golfing wilderness with a couple of years off the course for a variety of reasons, Mike Snaith came back to form with a vengeance with three second place finishes on consecutive days. Firstly the Seniors, then the Club’s turkey trot events. Day Three brought the Xmas Mixed event, supported by 44 players and again in second place, we saw Mike Snaith, this time receiving considerable assistance from his partner Chris Olds, scoring 35 points. That was good enough to beat Hugh Rowdon, who somehow was able to play a greensome on his own as his partner failed to appear, who nevertheless scored 34 and Allison Rumming and her partner, Rob Needham, who scored 33. However, the winners were Seniors’ Captain David Pilbeam, believed to be playing in his first mixed event, partnered by Kay O’Connor, who herself has only very recently returned to playing in the mixed golf events, they scored 36 points.
The event was very well run by Lady Captain Elect, Patricia Rawlins, who provided very welcome mince pies, coffee and a noggin on the tenth tee. Mixed Social Golf has really taken off in recent times with 20 – 24 couples becoming the norm at these events. The remaining mixed pairings in the club should consider joining in these popular events, with the next two scheduled for 22nd January and 26th February.
The Social side continued with its success, the latest event being a Bingo night. 63 people participated and between play they were entertained with various You Tube clips. Caller for the night and showing another unknown talent was Andy Jones of Tee Time Catering, the Club’s caterers, aided and abetted by a brand new Bingo machine.
Tony Williams