When play at Mendip resumed after the recent snows, members and visitors alike cannot fail to have been impressed by the overall state of the course.
A lot of tidying up work has taken place during the winter months, and as a result, the course looks in splendid order. Richard, Stuart, Paul and Tom, together with Chairman of Greens, Richard Jeffrey and his Committee, are to be congratulated on their efforts during what have been the most difficult of winter conditions that have been experienced in recent years.
Now all that remains is the essential work needed, once we have a dry spell, to bring the greens back into good order in time for the main playing season. This work is so important, but is very weather-dependent.
The Ladies played a full eighteen-hole competition, for the first time, a sure sign that golf proper is returning. The yellow Ball Bowmaker attracted an entry of 33, most of whom found the return to eighteen-hole golf fairly tiring.
In third place, after count-back, were the strong team of Aimee Sawyer, Fran Davies and Karen Cookson with 113 points. In second place were Marian Speed, Anita Butcher and Elaine Kitchenham with 117, but clear winners with 131 points were Vi Hayes, Chris Down and Margaret Hawker.
The third Seniors’ event of 2018, a Mendacious Bowmaker, again attracted a large entry. The weather started off all right, but deteriorated as the day progressed and the later starters faced some fairly wet and cold conditions.
In third place with 75 points were Nigel Cheshire, Eric Jordan and Alan O’Leary, a good effort as they were one of the last teams out. In second place with 77 points were John Brooksbank, Phillip Cookson and Simon Wynn, but with a score of 79 points, the winning team were John Mitchard, Alan Newton and John Treeby.
The last of the winter mixed events took place on a cold but sunny afternoon, with 24 players competing. The winning team, with 87 points, were Liz Rose, John Whyman, Ann and David Collins, with Cora and Terry Pavey and Hilary and Hugh Rowdon second, with 82 points.
The latest Pro’s nearest the pin challenge saw a win for Club Captain Richard Jeffrey, with Andy Wells second, Mark Necker third and Paul Reakes fourth.
This week saw the arrival of 27-year-old Josh Hirst as the new Assistant Teaching Professional at Mendip. Previously Head of Coaching at Rushmore Golf Club, Wiltshire, Josh has held teaching positions in Spain and at the David Leadbetter Academy in Leeds, where he was Head of the Junior Academy.
Josh has been recruited to support Head professional Stuart Disney, particularly with his work out in the Community. Seventeen youngsters from Oakhill Primary have recently signed up for a five-week course of coaching, and talks are ongoing with two further schools. We all wish him well in his new role at Mendip.
Tony Williams