The annual playing of the Jock Callaghan Cup took place in testing conditions following the ongoing dry spell and with the stiff easterly wind adding to the difficulty.
Division One was won by the ever-consistent Tom Lowe playing off three, who scored net 71 against the amended CSS of 73. Second, with 72, was Will Waddington and third, Mark Bowers. Division Two saw a win for James Richards, with 69, beating Jim Scott, 72, who in turn, beat Richard Salter on countback. Division Three went to Steve Turner with a fine 67, with Nigel Hill second with 68 and John Brooksbank, third, with 71. However, the best score of the day and eventual Cup Winner came from Division Two, where Trevor Messenger carded an excellent net 66.
Mendip’s Aimee Sawyer was their representative in the Regional Qualifying event held at Tehidy Park in Cornwall, playing for a place in the final of the National Ladies’ Gold Medal event. Despite a fine round, Aimee just missed out on qualifying, finishing seventeenth out of 72 – an excellent achievement.
The Seniors’ Bill Smith Cup attracted a fine entry of 85 competitors, but good scoring proved demanding in the tough conditions. Division One was won by Peter Rumming, with 37 points, with Rob Stanton, second, with 35, and Philip Moores, third, beaten on countback.
Division Two and the Cup was won by Michael Clark, with the best score of the day. His forty points was three clear of second-placed Andy Frampton with Jim Mallon third with 35. The Veterans’ Division was won by Roger Wickett, with 33, John Pugh was second, with 32, and Hugh Campbell, third, with 31.
The Seniors suffered a narrow defeat in the Somerset Seniors’ Scratch Cup when going down 2–3 to Long Sutton, the match played at Wheathill. Mendip wins came from Martin Myers and Bryan Lewis.
There are several Seniors’ matches to report on. Home to Cumberwell resulted in a win for Mendip, 4–2. There were wins for Martin Lambert/Mike Sharp, Bryan Lewis/John Brooksbank, Jim Mallon/Colin Davies and John Stembridge/Terry Pavey.
When Home to Kingsdown, another win was recorded – 3½ to 2½. Mendip winners were Mike Lill/Andy Griffiths and Geoff Moseley/Brian Carter and John Padfield/Jim Mallon. Away to Yeovil produced a 3–3 draw with wins for John Stembridge/Jim Mallon, Alan Evans-Jones/Andy Frampton, with halves from Henry Banks/Keith Beasley and Nigel Cheshire/Alan Edwards.
Mendip’s Open Day proved a huge success. The weather was kind, and the event attracted a good number of visitors, existing players and enthusiastic youngsters. Thirty club members volunteered their support and the whole event was meticulously planned by Hilary Rowdon, ensuring that the event went smoothly. Also in attendance was the new Club Professional, Stuart Disney, commencing his new role that very day, and he created an excellent presence with his enthusiastic approach.
Experienced golfers were taken around the back nine holes of the course, with the less experienced players accompanied by members playing a shortened version of the front nine. Stuart held coaching sessions throughout the day for the ‘new to the game’ visitors and the Juniors. A Junior Academy is now underway each Saturday at 9.30 a.m. Any further Juniors interested should contact Stuart on: 01749 840793.
Tony Williams