Well, what a busy place Mendip Golf Club is at present! With the course in superb order, we’ve seen many new faces, including a good number of younger players, and with the new bar and catering team of Ryan and Emily settling in very well, competitions and matches are in full swing, with sixteen events to report on this week.
In addition, Mendip recently hosted the Somerset County Golf Championships, and the County and competitors were very fulsome in their praise of the course and clubhouse reception. Full report will follow next week.
The Men’s Avalon A Team recorded an excellent 3-2 win when visiting Stockwood Vale, with wins coming from Matt Horler/Mark Crook, Spencer Pocock/Brian Rawlings with Dan Allen/Steve Moore and Richard Gumbleton/Steve Coate recording halves.
This victory was then followed up when entertaining Mendip Spring, this time winning 4-1. Wins came from Wayne Black/J. Beech, Spencer Pocock/Brian Rawlings, Ben Cox/Matt Horler and Wayne Srawley/Dan Allen.
The Avalon B team gained a notable victory 3-2 when visiting Fosseway. inflicting the first home defeat on Fosseway since they joined the League. Wins came from team Captain Shaun Robertson/Club Captain, Paul Smith, Simon Wynn/Rob Ware (Simon was recording his fourth straight win) and John Ellis/Mark Necker.
Not to be outdone, the Avalon C Team beat Isle of Wedmore 4½-1½, with wins for Scott Butland/Dan Annable, Malcolm Srawley/ Chris Butland, Ryan Sainsbury/Clive Copp and Paul Reakes/Tony Logan, with Tom Chapman/Phil Leadbeater gaining a half.
They then visited Orchardleigh, and whilst going down 2-3, this was regarded as a good result. Winning for Mendip was Scott Butland/ Phil Leadbeater and Malcolm Srawley/Chris Butland.
The Ladies held a qualifying medal event from which the best gross score would proceed as the Dickinson Cup Mendip representative in the County event later in the season.
Silver Division was won by a returning-to-form Libby Bellew with a net-80, with Elaine Kitchenham second with 81 and Chris Olds third with 83. Bronze Division went to Sandie Roper with 83; Diane Stanton was second with 84 and Ann Collins third with 85.
Copper Divison went to Allison Rumming with 83, and she was followed by Ann Padley and Eileen Masters. Ladies’ Captain, Marian Speed, was the best Gross and therefore is Mendip’s Dickinson Cup representative. The nine-hole stableford event that ran alongside the Medal was won by Sue Alcock with eighteen points.
The Ladies Alliance A Team recorded a resounding 7-0 victory over Saltford. The winning players were Fran Davies, Marian Speed, Jan Fukuyama, Ellen Reakes, Jenny Merrett, Lyn Cox and Edwina Willis. An excellent all-round performance.
In the Bristol and District Scratch Foursomes, Aimee Sawyer and Ellen Reakes recorded a fine win away to Thornbury in the second round. They now have a home tie versus Worlebury.
The Ladies’ Inter-Club Team got their season underway when entertaining Long Sutton, narrowly going down to a 3-4 defeat. Wins came from Liz Rose, Anita Butcher and Anne Hopkins.
It was a similar story when visiting Mendip Spring, who took full advantage of local knowledge by registering a 5½-1½ win. Mendip’s points came from Anita Butcher and a half from Libby Bellew.
The Seniors visited Sherborne and went down narrowly in a hard-fought match. Wins for Mendip came from Bryan Lewis/David Garnsworthy, Kevin Carmody playing with new member Charles Roberts, with Phil Butcher/John Brooksbank gaining a half.
When then visiting Weston, Mendip lost 2-4 with another win for Seniors’ Captain, Bryan Lewis/Nigel Brokenshire and Chris Bryant/Phil Butcher.
The Seniors’ Avalon Team avenged their recent away defeat to Tall Pines when entertaining them in the reverse fixture by winning 3½-1½. Successful for Mendip were Mike Treasure/Alan Williams, Tony Taylor/David Collins and Kevin Carmody/ Team Captain, Alan Edwards, with Brian Lewis/Phil Butcher gaining a half.
Nearest the Pin this week went to Ellen Reakes, with Tom Fookes second and Andy Matthews third.
And finally, Mendip tasted success in the Wee Wonders event, a national competition for very young golfers. Grant, aged eight, and Ffion, nine, both qualified for the Regional finals event to be held at Farrington. Well done to both of them.
Tony Williams