Competitions and match results are coming in thick and fast at Mendip, as the season swings into full-speed.

The annual running of the Hodder Cup, a 4BBB Medal event with the top 32 pairs progressing to a KO competition, had a full entry sheet, and resulted in a very competitive low-scoring affair, helped by an early burst of summer weather. To qualify, you had to shoot a net-69 or better, and even then some of the 69’s were unlucky.

The first four places were all tied on net-62 with multiple count-backs required. The winners on the day were Derek Braithwaite/Geoff Collard with Martin Wilkins/Paul Drew second, Brian Say/Michael Kent third and Steve Coate/Dave Cox fourth.

The Burnell Cup, the only Stableford Cup, was played in what can only be called ‘wintry conditions’, and this was during the last weekend of April – a tremendous change from the previous week. Division Three was won by James Pitchel with 36 after count-back from Chris Huzal, with Sean Thatcher third with 35.

Division Two went to Tony Logan with 35 after a triple count-back. Second was Adrian Brooking-Clark and third Andrew Wells. Division One was won by Wayne Srawley, playing off four, who scored an excellent 36 points. Again, there was a triple count-back, resulting in Steve Rawlings coming second and David Cox third. However, the Cup Winner was twelve-handicapper Aaron Mitchell, with a fine 37 points. There were 115 entrants.

Mendip played Tickenham at Brean in the first round of the Somerset Rose Bowl, coming out 3-2 winners. Victorious for Mendip were Jack Hayes/Simon Wynn, Steve Moore/James Herniman and Wayne Srawley/Steve Coate. A special mention here to Selwyn Rees who filled in at very short notice. Unfortunately he and David Cox lost valiantly on the 18th.

Mendip A in the Avalon League went down 1-4 away to Worlebury with their only win coming from Team Captain Steve Coate playing with the very much in form Wayne Srawley. The B Team enjoyed better fortune went soundly beating Cannington 5-0. Wins came from Trevor Oats/Mervyn Vaughan, Richard Clifford/John Brooksbank, Rob Ware/Jack Hayes, Liam Robertson/James Herniman and Simon Wynn/David Braithwaite, the last named pairing making their league debuts.

The Ladies held a Charity Stableford event in aid of McMillan Nurses. 35 ladies supported the event and the winner of the McMillan Spoon was Joan Clark with 34, Hilary Rowdon was second with 32 after count-back from Carol Mosley. It was great to see three-handicapper Aimee Sawyer broadening her horizons by playing in the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open. Whilst Aimee found the conditions at Troon pretty testing, she nevertheless will have gained valuable experience by playing in such a prestigious event.

The Ladies Inter Club Team played Taunton and Pickeridge, losing 2½-4½. Winning for Mendip were Kay O’Connor and Team Captain Chris Williams with Mary Ainsworth gaining a half. A second match versus Wheathill away unfortunately went the same way, with Mendip losing 2-5. This time, wins came from Liz Rose and Mary Ainsworth.

The Ladies played their Somerset County Rogers Cup match against Stockwood Vale played at Worlebury. The thrilling match ended 4-3 to Mendip, with three matches extending beyond the 18th hole. In the most important of these, Vi Hayes with able assistance from Caddy Margaret Hawker, eventually sealed victory on the 21st hole. Other wins came from Marian Speed, Fran Davies and Nicola Croft.

Representing Mendip in the Daily Mail Foursomes event, Lulu Carolan and Anne Hopkins recorded a fine win in their second round match played at Wells.

Mendip’s Mixed Team traveled to Saltford and played in a full mix of weather – wind, rain and sunshine. The match was an honorable draw, with Mendip’s wins coming from Lulu Carolan/Selwyn Rees, Carol and Geoff Mosley and Bob Smallcombe and Margaret Allen.

Tony Williams