Two important events at either end of the age scale to report on this week. Alan Edwards, Seniors Captain, held a very successful Charity day to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. 112 competitors played in a variety of competitions, some playing 18 holes and some 26 ( 18+8 representing the Theme that 1 man in 8 will be affected by the illness). There were also individual prizes. The Winners of the 26 hole event were Derek Strudwick, Kelvin Lum, Nigel Jarvis and The Seniors Captain himself, with 123 points. The 18 hole event went to Duncan Soper, Stephen Hudson, Ian Hall and Bill Waddington with 89 points. The individual events were won by Malcolm Srawley with 53 points on count back from David Braithwaite and Alan Edwards ( 26 holes) and by Tony Taylor with 40 points on count back from Club Men’s Captain Jim Boyce. The Putting event was won by Michael Gardiner with Tony Williams runner up. However the real winners were the Charity with an incredible £3, 763 raised from the entry fees, raffle and the many items in the Auction.

When Stuart Disney, Director of Golf came to Mendip in 2017 the Junior Section was virtually non existent. 4 years on it is flourishing with an good number of Juniors now holding handicaps and many more on the way through the various coaching groups. Stuart has now been joined by Alex Todd who is already gaining an excellent reputation for his coaching and will be heavily involved in driving the Junior programme forward.

Alex has been playing competitive golf since the age of 7 and reached scratch status at a very young age, winning several local events over the years. He still holds the Course Record on the Farrington 9 hole course and Alex coached at Farmington for several years before joining Mendip. He turned professional at age 20 and gained a University degree with core subjects such as golf psychology, bio mechanics and golf business management. Alex has a real passion for self improvement and thrives on seeing success gained by Juniors he has coached.

So this week saw the 4th running of the re-established Junior Open, the Junior Mendip Vase, sponsored once again by A E George Commercials. Played in wonderful weather and with an entry of over 30 Juniors the event is growing year on year. This year the Champion was one of Mendip’s up and coming stars, Alec Roberts with 42 points with Jenson Barker from Farrington 2nd with 41 and Alexander Yuill all the way down from Gullane in Scotland 3rd with 39. The 9 hole event was won by Ollie Roach from Cumberwell Park with 22 points beating Lennon Bruce from Saunton on count back.

The Men’s Bowmaker event at Mendip saw 108 competitors and was won by Bradley Allen/Dan Poore/Joe Reilly with 79, with Liam Robertson/Shaun Robertson/Andy Walton 2nd with 78 and Jack Hayes/Matt Horler/Ryan Pledger 3rd with 76.