Despite concerns from certain members at Mendip Golf Club, the new Greens Team implemented their plan to carry out the winter preparation work on the greens at the beginning of August, rather than the usual early/mid-September.
Members worried that this would curtail an already short playing season when the greens are at their best. Yes, there was an element of disruption following the work, with the greens taking on a corduroy appearance. They looked worse than they played and although the speed of the greens was slow for a period, nevertheless the scores recorded in the various competitions showed that the greens were, by and large, putting accurately.
However, by 26th August the greens were looking magnificent and were speeding up to a level quite fast enough for the majority of golfers. Far from curtailing the season, the work has surely extended it by two months, with the greens expected to remain in superb condition throughout September and October. Well done Richard Gregory, Paul Cooper, Stu Ponfield, not forgetting Fred Say and Tom Small, an excellent job – very well done. If any non-members of Mendip think that I am exaggerating, there are only a handful of slots left for the Open Bowmaker scheduled for Friday, 21st October. Details on the Mendip website.
The Men’s Sims Cup was run in good weather, which resulted in some fine rounds being recorded. Division One saw a triple tie on net 71, which after countback, gave victory to Ian Perkins’ four handicap, with Brian Smith (10) second and Tom Lowe (3) third. Division Two saw a win for John Stembridge, with net 68, and he was followed by Ken Langridge 69 and Aaron Mitchell on 70.
Division Three saw the best scoring of the day, with Michael Lewis third with 71, Steve Turner second with 70 but winning with seven under par 64, Steve Moore. However, even that was not good enough to win the Cup with another Division Three player, 17 handicapper, Spencer Pocock, recording an outstanding 61 and earning himself not only the Cup, but a handicap reduction to fourteen!
The Men’s mid-week Tankard again saw some good scoring, with Troy Chivers winning Division One with 36 points, beating Thomas Chapman on 35 points. Division Two saw a win for Ryan Sainsbury, with a fine 42 points, beating Rob Needham, 41, into second place. Division Three saw a win for Andy Griffiths, with 36 points, with Spencer Pocock second with 35.
The Men’s Avalon A Team drew 2½ each with their nearest rivals, Stockwood Vale. There were wins for Paul Reakes/Steve Whalen and Alan Fussell/Danny Middle, with a half for Steve Coates/Wayne Srawley.
The Men’s Avalon C team beat Wedmore 3½-1½, giving them an excellent chance to win the league. Mendip’s points came from Wayne Black/Dan Allen, Tom Chapman/Ryan Sainsbury, Scott Butland/T. Black with Chris Butland/Dean Lewer gaining a half. With just one game to go, nearest rivals, Burnham and Berrow, need to win 4–1 away to pip Mendip.
The Ladies held their Monthly Medal and a large field were rewarded with glorious sunshine. Most struggled to record a good score, and those who did had to play extremely well. Division One was won by Aimee Sawyer, with a par-beating 75, followed by Jinhee Page, 76 and Patricia Rawlins, 81. Division Two saw another 75, this time from Chris Atkinson, bringing about an overdue handicap reduction, with Karen Cookson 84 and Carol Curtis 88. Division Three was won by Wendy Norman, followed by Elaine Richardson and Allison Rumming.
The Ladies’ Alliance A Team recorded an excellent win over Bristol and Clifton, 5–2, with wins for Aimee Sawyer, Gill Brown, Patricia Rawlins, Marian Speed and current Somerset Captain, Fran Davies.
The Ladies’ Inter League Team visited Oake Manor, but faced with a very strong Home Team, disappointingly lost, 2–5. Wins for Mendip came from Jill Jestico and new Club Madame Chairman, Mary Ware. The Ladies’ Friendly Team won their latest match 4–1 against Worlebury. Successful for Mendip were Mary Ainsworth/Eileen Masters, Di Stanton/Julia Philips, Anne Collins/Mae Curtis and Alison Letts/Wendy Norman.
Mendip’s Gill Brown and Aimee Sawyer beat a strong pairing from Lansdown to progress to the Final of the Somerset Ladies’ Scratch Foursomes to be held in
September at Bath.
T. Williams