122 men played in Mendip’s Hodder Cup, a Four Ball Better Ball Medal competition with the top sixteen scores qualifying for a KO Cup event.

Fine weather and excellent playing conditions led to some low scoring, with 44 pairs beating Par 71. There were five pairs on net 64 with the best of those, after countback, coming third in the day’s event, these being S. Pocock and J. Ward. In second place, again after countback, with net 63, were Matt Rawlings, continuing his recent strong form, partnered by Neil Onslow, but the winners were Martin Myers and Ian Stolworthy.

The Mens’ Avalon A Team, playing in Division Three, got their campaign off to a flying start, winning 3½–1½ away to Brean – always a difficult course to pick up away points, and then they followed this up with a further 3½–1½ win when home to a strong Mendip Spring Team.

The Ladies’ Alliance A Team visited Bath and after a fine battle, lost out 5–9 with Gill Brown and Vi Hayes recording wins and Aimee Sawyer gaining a half. This was followed by a visit to a very strong Henbury team, which resulted in a heavy defeat with Aimee once again securing a half. This has been a tough start back in Division One, with a run of three away fixtures, and it is expected that results will improve when back on home turf. The Ladies’ Friendly Team visited Yeovil and secured two wins and a half.

The Seniors’ Monthly Stableford again attracted a full entry. The best score of the day, which won him Division One, went to John Whyman, with an excellent 41 points and which earned him a handicap reduction. In second place, with 38 points, was Robert Davies and in third place, Brian Say, with 37. Division Two saw a win for Seniors’ Captain Elect, Andy Frampton, with 39 points, and he was followed by Simon Atkinson, who just missed out on countback, and in third place, William McCabe with 38 points. The Veterans’ Division was won by Derek Strudwick with Michael Clark second and Chris Alexander, third.

The Seniors’ Somerset Rose Bowl Team played Mendip Spring at Wedmore and triumphed 4–1 to progress to the next round. There were wins for Team Captain, Bryan Lewis/Simon Atkinson, Ian Perkins/Phil Bendall, Chris Bryant/Mike Snaith and Tony Taylor/Nigel Hill.

32 mixed pairs competed for the annual event held to support the work of the RNLI. Played in lovely weather with good scoring, the winners could only be determined on countback. Club Lady Chairman, Mary Ware and her son, Robert, scored 43 points, but just lost out to Competition winners, Chris Olds and Neil Bath. The event was very well run by Lady Captain, Patricia Rawlings, who after announcing the results to a full clubhouse, was delighted to advise that £581 had been raised for the RNLI.

Tony Williams