After a summer of intense competitions, the various Club knock-out events at Mendip have now been completed.
The Hospital Cup was won by Guillaume Lesage, who beat Philip Leadbeater. The Hospital Plate, a competition for first-round losers, was won by Thomas Richardson, who beat Colin Davies. The Hodder Cup, a four-ball better ball competition, saw a further success for Guillaume Lesage, who, together with Pat Meatyard, beat Simon Grant and Simon Wynn.
The prestigious Rickards Cup for the low-handicappers, played off scratch, saw an excellent final between the two lowest handicap Men in the Club Tom Lowe (2) and Stuart Ponfield (+1), with Stuart just coming out on top.
The Anderson Goblet, played off scratch for players, 13-28, saw a further win for Thomas Richardson, who beat Brian Say. The Duffers Cup; again, played off scratch for handicap players 18-28, saw a win for Derek Padley, who beat John Brooksbank. The Jim Thame Foursomes was won by Rod Dyson and Merlyn Saunders, who beat Dan Allen and Tom Chapman.
The Jeff Jones Mixed went to four-handicap Ben Cox, playing with his eleven year-old daughter, Connie, and they beat Chris Atkinson and Martin Myers. The Seniors’ Harry Bowles Cup went to John Hargraves, who beat Merlyn Saunders.
The Stephenson Cup saw 85 competitors having to deal with a course that had seen nearly four inches of rain over the past two weeks playing long, although still in good order, with the greens holding up well in particular. Division One saw a win for Duncan Offer with 71 after a triple-tie, with Ben Cox second and Stephen Rawlings third.
Division Two saw Andrew Thatcher winning with the equal-best score of the day with 69. Malcolm Srawley was second with 71 and Brian Smith third with 72 after a four-way countback. Division Three was won by Owen Cullen with 71, Peter Walsh was second with 75 and Robert Earney third with 78. However, the popular winner was a long-time member who had not appeared in the winners’ circle for some time – Paul Merrett, with 69 – winning the Trophy on countback.
The Ladies’ Medal was played in very wet conditions. However, the conditions did not deter Ladies’ Captain, Marian Speed, who returned an excellent net-76, with Sandie Roper second with 78 and Aimee Sawyer third with 79. Aimee then followed this up with a 76 in the weekend Ladies’ Medal.
The Ladies’ Alliance B Team visited Long Ashton, but after some close finishes nevertheless suffered a heavy defeat, with only Lulu Carolan recording a win. The Ladies’ Friendly team entertained Knowle, who, disappointingly, were only able to bring six players. Mendip won the Match 2-1, with wins for Team Captain, Allison Rumming/Gina Howard and Sue Needham/Caroline Laws.
The Seniors’ last fixture was home to West Wilts and was played in very wet and windy conditions. However, the result just went to Mendip, 3½-2½, with wins for Simon Brand/Stephen Smith, Dick Ransley/Philip Moores and David Garnsworthy/Mike Snaith.
The Pro Shop Nearest the Pin went to Tom Lowe, with Gareth Collier second and Ellen Reakes third.
Tony Williams