The Captains’ Charity Day, in its new format of a shotgun start and being played at the weekend, proved to be a highly-successful event, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the 112 competitors. Excellent hot dogs and drinks on the course kept the entrants going on a very hot day.

The full clubhouse were well looked after by the catering team, and after prize-giving and a short auction, the Captain, John Shakesby, was very pleased to announce that almost £3,000 had been raised for two charities that are being supported. First-placed Ladies’ Team were twelve-year-old Ellen Reakes, Ladies’ A Team Captain, Marian Speed, Fran Davies and Ladies’ Captain, Bron Cooper, with 84 points.

First-placed Mixed Team were Anita and Phil Butcher, Glynn Haddock and Sarah James, with 88 points. First Men’s Team, and not for the first time in this type of event, were Martin Wilkins, Paul Drew, Nigel Brokenshire and this time with Michael Gardiner, with ninety points.

The Men’s Mid-Week Tankard saw 57 Competitors and some excellent scoring in the continuing fast-running conditions. Division One went to Adrian Payne with 43 points, with Richard Jeffrey second with forty and Matt Bendall third with 38. Division Two went to John Stembridge with forty, while Division Three saw a win for Stephen Smith with 42.

The Men’s Avalon C Team recorded a fine 4-1 away victory over Mendip Spring. Wins came from Chris Butland/Philip Leadbetter, P. Kivi/Philip Moores, Ryan Sainsbury/Rob Richardson, with Malcolm Srawley/Tom Chapman and Scott Butland/Dan Allen gaining halves.

The Avalon B Team won their final home game against Cricket St Thomas, 3½-1½. Wins came from Trevor Oats/Simon Wynn, Liam Robertson and debutant Jonathan Cummings, and the all-Yorkshire pairing of David Braithwaite/John Brooksbank. David Williams/Rob Ware secured a half.

Mendip unfortunately lost their Quarter-Final match in the Somerset Rosebowl competition 2-3 against Isle of Wedmore. Chris and Scott Butland won their match, as did Jack Hayes and Simon Wynn. The three losing results were all settled on the 18th green.

Avalon A gained a fighting halved match away to Mendip Spring. Points for Mendip were gained by Will Waddington/Ben Cox and Matt Lambert/Alan O’Leary, with Wayne Black/S. Moore gaining a half point.

The Ladies’ event this week was a Texas Scramble. The winning team consisted of fifteen-year-old Lizzie Bryant, a recent recruit from Orchardleigh, with Gina Howard and Ellen Reakes, with net 63.2. The Ladies’ Inter-Club team narrowly went down 3-4 away to Cricket St Thomas, with wins recorded for Hilary Rowdon, Elaine Richardson and Nola Russell.

The Seniors’ latest match saw an away win at West Wilts, 4-2. Winning pairs were Terry Carter/Mike Snaith, Bryan Lewis/Nigel Brokenshire, Martin Lambert/Mike Lill and Jim Mallon/Nick Inskip.

The annual running of the Millington Salver, a mixed event, took place with 22 pairs competing. Originally a strict Foursomes event, it has now become a 4BBB event. The fine playing conditions were bound to lead to some heavy scoring, and so it turned out.

In third position after a quadruple countback were Mark Necker/Chris Williams on 43 points. In second place were Alan and Sandie Roper with 45 points, but the trophy winners were Club Captain, and a relative newcomer to mixed golf, John Shakesby, partnered by Chris Atkinson, with a tremendous 46 points.

The Pro Shop nearest the pin results saw a win for Scott Butland, with the Ladies’ prize going to, in the Pro’s words, “Another up and coming star”, Connie Cox, aged ten.

Tony Williams