I have recently written about the resurgence of Junior Golf at Mendip since the arrival of Director of Golf, Stuart Disney, in 2017 and the excellent achievement of the Junior Team in qualifying for the Finals, as Somerset’s representatives, in the National Junior Champion Club competition held at Woodhall Spa, the home of England Golf.

Last week the finals took place and Mendip’s team of Junior Captain, seventeen-year -old Josh Seviour, thirteen-year-old Connie Cox and eleven-year-old Ffion Richardson joined 24 other teams for a practice round followed by the 36 hole event. This was a stableford with the best two out of three scores to count.

The youngsters had an excellent first day, with Josh scoring 31, Connie 34 and Ffion a quite outstanding 39 points. This gave Mendip a first day score of 73 which saw them in second position. On day two, Captain Josh, first out, led the way with a brilliant 38 points, with Connie scoring 32 and Ffion 27, which gave Mendip, on the day, 70 points and an overall 143 total.

The first day leaders fell away a little but Ramside Hall, from County Durham, had a strong day two with 80 points to win the event with 148. However, Mendip’s consistency over the two days gained them the Runners-up spot, a wonderful achievement for this very young and largely inexperienced team. Very well done Team Mendip and thank you Stuart and Assistant Pro,Alex, for your ongoing support and guidance to Mendip’s Juniors.

The Captain’s Charity Day took place and whilst the overall numbers playing were lower than would be normal, nevertheless it was very successful with the auction alone raising £825 for the Charity. Captain James Boyce thanked all those members who had supported him and his charity, Forever Friends, throughout the year. The Individual Competition was won by Tony Scott with Chris White second and the team event went to Martin Wilkins/Nigel Brokenshire/John Shakesby/A. Shakesby after countback.

The Inaugural Past Seniors’ Captains event took place with fourteen playing and a further five joining the day for dinner. Senior’s Vice Captain, Steve Davis, became the first holder of the Campbell Trophy, presented in memory of long-standing member and Past Seniors’ Captain, Hugh Campbell, who passed away in 2020.

102 competitors played in the Sims Cup, which saw some fine scoring from some of the low handicap players. The Cup Winner was Simon Jeffries playing off 7, who had a net 64 indicating a level par gross round. Division One went to 5 handicap, fourteen-year-old Thomas Richardson with a net 65 after countback from Ryan Sainsbury also off 5. Division Two went to Alan Clarke with 66, with Andy Wells second with 69 and Division Three was won by young Henry Lewer with 67, with Cameron Goudie second with 68. This leaves Simon Jeffries now leading the Order of Merit with 378, a single point ahead of Neil Onslow.

Division One of the Ladies Stableford went to Chris Atkinson with 32, with Fran Davies second with 29. Division Two was won by Chris Williams with 33 from Penny Oliver second after countback with 30. Division Three saw a fine 36 points from Louise Scott, with Val Dixon second with 30.

The Alliance B Team suffered defeat when entertaining a strong Chipping Sodbury Team, with Team Captain, Chris Down, winning her match and Hilary Rowdon gaining a half. The Ladies Challenge Cup was won by Jenny Merrett, with a net 83 one shot ahead of Chris Atkinson. The Ladies’ Friendly Team lost a close match against Farrington, with Penny Oliver/Sue Alcock winning their match and Allison Rumming/June Page and Alison Kay/Louise Scott gaining halves.

The Seniors’ Team were in the Semi-Finals of the Somerset Scratch Cup and recorded a fine win away to Long Sutton, 4–1. Wins came from Ian Perkins, Chris Lindley, David Jukes and Ian Hall. They now play either Oake Manor or Weston in the Final. The Seniors’ Friendly Team recorded an excellent

6–1 win over Knowle and followed this up with a 4–2 win when visiting Bristol and Clifton.

The Mixed Team played Long Ashton and the visitors suffered with late withdrawals. Mendip came to their rescue and ‘lent them’ extra players. Wins for Mendip came from Allison and Peter Rumming and Sue and Rob Needham, with Ian Hall and Eileen Masters gaining a half.This week’s Nearest the Pin was won by Paul Ashman with Andy Griffiths second. T. Williams