The major event at Mendip this week was the Seniors’ Mendip Vase Open event. This attracted an entry of 135, of whom 90 were Visitors.
The weather was kind and the course was presented in stunning order, with the greens running fast and true. The Pro and Clubhouse teams, together with a band of volunteer ladies, all played their part in making this a most successful event, with the added bonus that £638 was raised for the Freewheelers Charity.
Overall winner of the vase, was Paul Henson, from Enmore Park, with 40 points. Division One went to Martin Myers, with 39 points, followed by John Shakesby, with 37, beating Ian Perkins on countback. Division Two went to Chris Bennett, with 38, with James Saunders, from Cannington, second with 37 and James Dunlop, from Bath, third with 36. The Best Visitor prize went to Mike Howard, from Came Down, with 38, with Gordon Allen from Kingsdown second, with 37. Mike Howard’s round contained his first hole in one achieved on the eighth hole.
The Men’s Avalon C Team recorded a fine 3½-1½ win over Burnham, wins for Tom Chapman/Julian Redpath, Duncan Offer/Malcolm Srawley, Paul Reakes/Tony Logan, with a half for Scott Butland/Dani Annable. This win ensures they are champions of Division Six. The Avalon B did not fare so well, going down to a heavy defeat at Taunton and Pickeridge, but nevertheless they too have gained promotion this year.
The Ladies’ nine hole qualifier was won by Joan Clark, with 21 points, which earned her a handicap reduction! In the main 18 hole qualifying event, Silver Division was won by Ellen Reakes, with an excellent net 75, thus reducing her handicap to eight. Second was Chris Olds, with 78, and Edwina Willis was third, with 79. Bronze Division was won by Dee Garnsworthy, with 80, with Libby Bellew second with 82, and Diane Stanton, third, with 83. Copper Division went to Philippa Brown, with 76, this gaining her a three shot handicap reduction, with Gina Howard second, with 78 on countback from Caroline Laws. Caroline had the best gross score in the 30-36 category and goes forward as Mendip’s qualifier in the County Grass Roots Trophy event.
The Inter-Club team went down to a narrow 3-4 defeat to Mendip Spring, with wins for Diane Stanton and Anita Butcher and halves for Margaret Allen and Margaret Hawker. The Alliance A Team found Worlebury too strong, with a sole win coming from Aimee Sawyer.
The Seniors were defeated by Bristol and Clifton, 2-4. Wins came from Seniors’ Captain, Bryan Lewis, playing with Jim Roebuck. It sounds as if Jim did not have to do too much, as Bryan carded a level par round! Halves were gained by Simon Atkinson/Alan Evans Jones and Keith Gadsden/John Brooksbank.
Nearest the Pin winner was Peter Kivi with Tony Taylor second, and Ellen Reakes and Phil Bendall joint third.
Tony Williams