169 Mendip Men played in the first Cup Competition of the season, the Burnell Cup.

This Cup is the only Stableford event for a major Trophy. Played in wintry conditions, albeit in May, scoring proved testing for the majority of players, with only five players bettering a par score.

In fifth place was Simon Jefferies with 36 points, in fourth place one of the youngsters Alec Roberts with 37, Rory Simpson was third with 38, beaten on count back by Thomas Richardson who was second with the overall Cup winner who put together an excellent 39 points, young Pro Shop Assistant, Sam Scriven playing off 9. Very well done Sam, enjoy your new handicap of 7!

The Ladies event this week was a drawn ‘mix up’ four person bowmaker. This event gives the higher handicap and new to the game ladies the opportunity to play with the better and more experienced players with the aim of improving their understanding of the game. All the experienced ladies should support this event remembering that in times gone by, they needed the help and support from the better players of their era. Nine teams competed with three of those teams a player short due to late withdrawals.

Winning after countback with 61 points were Mary Ainsworth, Sue Needham, Anne Hopkins and Val Dixon. In second were Elaine Richardson, Anita Butcher, Cora Pavey and Libby Bellew. Diana Stevenson, Nichola Croft, Gina Howard and Margaret Hawker were third with 60 and Nola Russell, Andrea Williams, Sandie Roper and Susy Rudkin were fourth with 57 points. The best of the three person teams were Lynn Cox, Pauline Williams and Penny Oliver with 55. However, the highlight of the day was a Hole in One on the 18th by Joan Clark. A member for thirty seven years and now in her mid 80’s, Joan has had two holes in one before, ‘but not for some time!’ Well done Joan.

The Ladies Alliance A Team produced an excellent result when halving their away fixture at Bath. The match was played in windy and very chilly conditions and produced wins for Ellen Reakes, Jinhee Page, Fran Davies with Lynne Vowles halving her match.

The Juniors held a 9 hole competition which saw some amazing scoring. Harry Bassett was the winner with 25 points but only after count back from Samuel Hughes. Henry Lewer was third with 21 points again after count back from new Junior Alexander Leonard. Scores like these will soon see handicaps tumbling. Keep it up lads.

The Seniors Captain’s Drive In event saw 124 Seniors competing. The early starters had by far the best of the weather playing in cold but sunny weather. As the day progressed, so the weather deteriorated with the later starters playing in hail storms and heavy rain! Not at all pleasant. Clear winners on the day were Andrew Ashman, Colin Davies, Steve Smith and John Stembridge with 84 points. In second place with 80 points after a triple count back came Robert Miller, Malcolm Dawkins, Martin Sutherland and David Jackson, with the multiple winners over the years of team events Brian Smith, Brian Francis, Eric Jordan and John Hargraves 3rd and Alan Snow, Justin May, Julian Tucker and Richard Baillon were fourth.

The Pro Shop Nearest the Pin event was won by Matt Bendall with Scott Butland second with his father Chris third.

Tony Williams