When the official Club events take a break, Stuart, our ever-busy professional, organises competitions most weekends, giving those members who like to play competitively the chance to do so.

The Singles Stableford saw a win for Henry Treasure with 38 points, beating Andy Walton on count back. Richard Salter was third with 37, again on count back from George Hobbs. Matt Lambert was fifth with 36, again after a count back.

The Pro Shop Team event saw a win for George Hobbs, Troy Chivers and Shaun Rich with 82 points, with Matt Horler, Jack Hayes and Tom Lowe second with 81.

The Ladies event went to Sandie Roper, Julia Philips and Pauline Williams, with 62 points. The Mixed winners were Ryan Sainsbury, Clive Copp and Ellen Reakes, with 70 Points.

Pro Shop Nearest the Pin events were won by Wayne Srawley and Richard Jeffery.

The Seniors’ Turkey Trot was played in remarkably good playing conditions, bearing in mind the recent weather. John Ellis was third with 37 points, Malcolm Srawley was second with 39, but the winner was low-handicapper Martin Myers, whose 40 points not only won the competition but proved to be the lowest gross score of the season off the yellow tees.

The Seniors’ AGM followed the Turkey Trot event with a very good attendance. Outgoing Seniors’ Captain, Bryan Lewis, reported on a very successful year for the Seniors’ Section. Forty friendly matches were played, the team reached the final of the Somerset Scratch KO and reached the quarter-finals of the Rosebowl. The Avalon Team finished mid-table.

The monthly seniors’ competitions saw full entry sheets. All in all a very busy and successful season, which culminated in an excellent Seniors’ Dinner event, all of which shows that Seniors’ Golf at Mendip is in rude health. The Seniors’ Captain’s Charity raised £3,250 for the Freewheelers, who deliver blood where required around the county. Finally John Brooksbank was confirmed as Seniors’ Captain for 2020, with Alan Edwards elected as Vice-Captain.

John Brooksbank’s Seniors’ Captain’s Drive-In eventually took place over two days! On Day One a full clubhouse devoured coffee and bacon rolls, a gross of mince pies and fifteen litres of mulled wine! However, when it came time to play, the weather had really drawn in and although Captain John Brooksbank drove off, claiming it was a magnificent long straight drive, no-one could contradict him as the ball disappeared from vision shortly after leaving his driver!

Everyone duly met up the following week to play the Drive-In Competition on an extremely windy, but at least dry, day.

The winning score of 87 points belied the conditions and gave victory to Rob Needham, Martin Osborne, David Cox and Phil Cookson.

In second place came Selwyn Rees, Robert Earney, Steve Davis and Ian Perkins with 85.

Third place went to Phil Bendal, Rod Dyson, Colin Davies and David Collins with 84.

There were only three two spots, giving a healthy payout to Rod Dyson, Chris Bennett and Andy Griffiths.

All entrance money for the event went to the Seniors’ Captain’s nominated Charity, which this year is the Alzheimer’s Society.

The Christmas Mixed Competition saw couples in festive attire thankfully blessed with a dry day for the most part, then dry turned to rain and then hail! Mike Phillips and Cora Pavey won with 41 points, with Martyn Russell and Susy Rudkin second with 37. Newcomers Peter Kivi, Tony Logan and Susy Rudkin were playing in their first mixed event.