An excellent performance by Mendip’s First Team saw a victory against Oake Manor in the County Scratch KO event, the Pickeridge Bowl, that now takes Mendip through to the semi final where they will play Worlebury. The final result was 3–2, with wins for David Cox, Martin Myers and Wayne Srawley.
The Men’s First Team also saw success in their latest fixture in the Avalon League. A hard fought 3–2 win against Long Sutton away with wins for Martin Myers and Steve Whalen, Steve Coates and Wayne Srawley and Chris Lindley and Ian Fairclough. This now puts Mendip within 1½ points of the League leaders with a game in hand.
Mendip’s Men’s Invitation Day saw a good field with members keen to showcase their course to their invitees. Lovely weather encouraged good scoring on a course looking and playing at its best. In fifth place was Keith Sanders and his guest, Jack Skuse, from Kingsdown, with net 65 being one of four pairings on that score. In fourth place were Peter Restorick and John Russell from Wedmore, in third place, Club Captain, David Williams and past member, Phil Moody, who now plays at Fosseway, in second place, Rob Millard and Ken Mitchell, from Wells, but winning with a fine net 63 were Spencer Pocock and Alex Price from Farrington. As a post script, it is interesting to note that one of the invitees enjoyed the course so much that on the following Monday, he cancelled his membership at his existing club and joined Mendip. There cannot be a better compliment than that!
The highlight of the year for the Captain of the Ladies Section has to be ‘Her Captain’s Day’ and this year saw yet another highly successful occasion, this time for Hilary Rowdon. Very well supported with over 50 players taking part in a shotgun start, blessed by fine weather and with refreshments around the course, Hilary put on a splendid event enjoyed by all and the further ten non-players who joined in with the post event meal and social occasion. Numerous prizes were provided, too many to comment on. However, the major prizes went to the following: The Cooper Goblet for the best individual score in Silver Division, Chris Olds, with 35 points. The Gladys Shepherd Trophy for the Bronze Division Winner, Anne Collins, with 38 points and the winning team best 2 out of 3 Bowmaker went to Chris Olds, Andrea Williams and Nichola Croft, with 75 points just holding off by one point Lynn Cox, Sue Alcock and Anne Collins. Bouquets of flowers were also presented to Fran Davies, Somerset Ladies Captain 2015 and 2016, June Millington ex-Somerset County player who has also represented England Senior Ladies and Elizabeth Corson, who represented Somerset back in the late 70s and who was County president in 1992 and 1993.
The Ladies Inter Club gained an outstanding home win against Stockwood Vale 6½–½ with wins for Elaine P. Richardson, Mary Ainsworth, Carol Curtis, Mary Ware, Alison Letts, Elaine Richardson and with a hard fought for half by Kay O’Connor playing in her first league match.
The reverse fixture sadly went the other way with Stockwood Vale winning 5–2, Mendip’s points coming from Libby Bellew and Chris Williams.
The Seniors visited West Wilts and despite a valiant fight, went down to a 1½–4½ defeat. Points for Mendip were gained by Nigel Hill and Peter Rumming with a half coming from Tony Taylor and Jimmy Mallon.
Mendip’s Past Captains event took place in fine weather and with 20 ex-captains playing, a very high percentage of Mendip’s past captains who are still able to play. Greatly missed was Mendip’s oldest past captain, Rex Ladd, captain in 1970, who was still playing until recently, sadly passed away two days before the event after a short illness. As always, the social part of the event was as important as the golf itself. Winning The Individual Trophy was Paul Merrett, with the team event won by current Captain David Williams, well supported by past captains, Hugh Glandfield, Colin Davies and Terry Pavey.
Tony Williams