Two years ago, Mendip did not have an active Junior section. This has all changed since Stuart Disney became the Club Professional, and the Junior section is now thriving thanks to his impetus and the help of some of the Members.
The Junior Club Championships were held with 21 youngsters competing in three different events. Nine competed in the Championship for those with CONGU handicaps under forty, with the remainder being those Juniors who are progressing towards gaining their first handicap, and then came the Stu’s Superstars, the real young ones who played from the Golf Access Tees for six holes.
The Junior Champion was Alec Roberts with 34 points, with his brother, Ben, second. Connie Cox was third and Junior Captain, Ellen Reakes, fourth. Ben actually scored 37 points but was not able to win the Trophy, as there was a forty-handicap limit, and Ben is, at present, just a little higher.
The nine-hole event was won by Ashton Silk with 59; Dilan Perkins was runner-up with 60, beating Grant Jeffrey on countback. The Golf Access Six-Hole event had some youngsters venturing onto the course for the first time and they had a wonderful experience.
Special mention to Dexter Bleet who completed nine holes and is working his way towards gaining a full handicap, and to four-year-old – yes, that is correct – Matilda Cook, who completed six holes and scored a five on the 17th!
Special thanks to Richard Jeffrey who generously provided hot dogs and cakes after play and to those parents who walked around the Course assisting where necessary. Well done Stuart Disney for making all this happen for Mendip.
The Ladies held the Vyvyan Clare Trophy event, a Par Competition, and this was won by Edwina Willis on four-over, with Chris Olds second and Jenny Merrett third. The Alliance A Team gained a fine win, 8-6, over Saltford, with wins coming from Chris Olds, Marian Speed, Jenny Merrett and Edwina Willis.
Jean Padfield was declared winner of the Endeavour Trophy, awarded for the best set of results over all the Stableford competitions, and Anita Butcher won the Parkes Plate, having gained the most points for Mendip in the Inter-Club matches. Nearest the Pin in the Professional Shop event went to Richard Jeffrey, with Peter Kivi second and Oliver Saunder third.
The Seniors entertained Wedmore and ran out 5-1 winners. Successful for Mendip were Bryan Lewis/Alan Snow, Keith Gadsden/Walford Gillison, Henry Banks/Martin Lambert, Andy Griffiths/Alan Edwards and Philip Moores/Stephen Smith. They followed this with a home win over Taunton and Pickeridge, 3½-2½; this time with wins coming from Bryan Lewis/Tony Taylor, Nick Inskip/Kevin Carmody and Martyn Russell/Mike Snaith, with Simon Brand/David Garnsworthy gaining a valuable half.
Stuart Disney, for the second year, ran his Cyder Cup event based on the Ryder Cup format. Two teams of sixteen battled it out, with Stuart captaining Team Europe and Professional, Lindsey Elkins, captaining Team USA.
Team USA took a commanding eleven-point lead after the morning foursomes. However, Europe fought strongly in the afternoon, but even with four balls winning that format by nine points it was not quite enough to prevent Team USA picking up the Trophy.
Tony Williams