The annual running of the Anniversary Cup saw 96 competitors playing in hot, sunny weather with the course fast-running and proving very challenging.
However, there were many fine scores leading to handicap reductions. Division One was won by Mark Crook with an excellent net-65, equalled by Ben Cox who missed out on countback. Joint-Head Greenkeeper, Stuart Ponfield, was third carding an outstanding net-68, playing off plus-one handicap.
Division Two was won by Darren Lodge with 66, Michael O’Haire was second with 68 and Steve Whalen was third with 69 after countback. Division Three went to Andy Parfitt with 68, John Gifford was second with 71 and Ray Eves third with 73. However, the Round of the Day came from Andrew Wells, handicap thirteen, who scored an excellent net-64 to lift the trophy.
The Men’s Avalon B Team went down to a narrow defeat against Taunton & Pickeridge, 2-3. Winning pairs were Mark Necker/Andy Wells and James Herniman/Rich Clifford. The Men’s Avalon C Team recorded two fine wins. Away to Weston, they won 3½-1½, with wins from Tom Lowe/Chris Butland, Scott Butland/D. Annabell and Tom Chapman/Phil Leadbeater, with Malcolm Srawley/Paul Reakes gaining a half.
They followed this up with a 4½-½ win when entertaining Wedmore. Wins this time from Tom Lowe/Chris Butland, Scott Butand/D. Annabelle, Tom Chapman/Phil Leadbeater and Paul Reakes/Malcolm Srawley, with Duncan Bratt/Philip Moores gaining a half.
Thirty Ladies competed in the Qualifying Stableford which saw a win in Silver Division for Vi Hayes with 33, Edwina Willis was second with 30 on countback from Jean Padfield. Joan Clark won Bronze Division with 31 after countback from Mary Ainsworth, with Diana Stevenson third. Copper Division went to Susy Rudkin with 38, Allison Rumming was second with 33 and Eileen Masters third with 32.
The Ladies’ Alliance A Team visited Farrington and went down to a heavy defeat, with Jan Fukuyama the only winner. They fared a little better when home to Filton, suffering a narrow 6-8 defeat. Winning for Mendip were Ellen Reakes, Jinhee Page and Jenny Merrett.
The Ladies’ Inter-Club Team lost 1½-5½ at home to Wedmore; Anita Butcher won her match and Cora Pavey gained a hard-fought-for half. The Ladies’ Courage Trophy Greensome event saw a win for Jean Padfield/Diane Stanton with 38, Sue Alcock/Chris Olds were second with 37 and Anita Butcher/Sarah James were third with 36.
The Seniors entertained Long Ashton and after a very competitive affair honours were even 4-4. Winning pairs for Mendip were Bryan Lewis/John Brooksbank, Andy Griffiths/Peter Rumming, Brian Say/Mike Snaith and Martin Osborne/Alan Snow. The Seniors then visited Cumberwell, a course in fine condition and came away with a narrow but welcome 4-3 victory. Winners were Bryan Lewis/Alan Edwards, Andy Frampton/Mike Lill, Nigel Brokenshire/Kevin Carmody and Simon Brand/David Garnsworthy.
Seniors’ Captain, Bryan Lewis, was delighted with the response to this year’s Seniors’ Invitation Day. 44 members and 44 guests enjoyed a lovely day’s golf and the visitors must have been impressed with the presentation of the course, which was in stunning condition. The scores reflected the excellent playing conditions.
Past Seniors’ Captain, Andy Frampton, and his guest from Lansdown emerged as clear winners with 46 points. Second after countback with 42 points were Tony Taylor and his West Wilts guest, third were Philip Moores and his Lansdown guest, fourth after countback were Bryan Lewis and his Yelverton guest with 41 points, with John Ellis and his Lansdown guest in fifth position
Nearest the Pin this week in the Pro Shop Competition was Oliver Saunder, with John Ellis second and Philip Leadbeater third.
Tony Williams