This week saw the culmination of the Summer KO competitions. There can be few Clubs that have as many KO trophies to play for in addition to the weekly Cup Competitions that run throughout the season.
The Jim Thame Foursomes Cup this year unusually went to a higher handicap pairing, John Standing and Greg Wood, who beat Ryan Sainsbury and Gary Butler. The Hodder Cup, a Four Ball Better Ball event, went to Ian Fairclough and Matt Lambert, who beat Spencer Pocock and Jack Ward. The Hospital Cup went to Henry Treasure, who beat Nigel Brokenshire, and the Hospital Plate, a consolation Trophy, went to Alan Fussell, who beat Martin Russell. The Rickards Cup, a scratch event for the low handicappers, went to the ever-consistent Tom Lowe, who beat Matt Rawlings. The Anderson Goblet, a scratch event for the mid-handicappers, went to Nick Inskip, who beat Liam Robertson.
The Jeff Jones Foursomes, a mixed event, went to Peter Davies and Chris Atkinson, who beat Bryan Lewis and Marian Speed, and finally the Harry Bowles Cup, for Seniors, went to Steve Creese, who beat Andy Griffiths on the 20th hole.
The Showering Cup again saw a good entry and the conditions made good scoring difficult. Winning Division Three, on count back, with a net 73, was Nigel Brokenshire, with Paul Mansfield second and Tom Scott third with 75. Division Two went to Dan Allen, with 71, with Ian Fairclough second with 73, beating Tony Taylor on count back. Division One went to Simon Jefferies, with 72 and after an incredible seven-way count back on 73, Nick Cox was second and Thomas Chapman third. However the Cup winner who came from Division One, with an excellent, best of the day score of 68, was four-handicapper, Neil Onslow.
The Men’s Avalon A Team have now completed their fixtures and they finished a very creditable third in Division Three. The C Team, having been promoted from Division Seven the previous season, were very pleased to consolidate their position, finishing third in Division Six.
The Ladies competing in the Qualifying Stableford had to cope with some challenging conditions and the scores reflected that, with only four competitors recording scores to handicap or in the buffer zone. Winner of Copper Division was Wendy Norman, with Val Dixon second and Joan Hayes third. Andrea Williams won the Bronze Division, with 30 points, with Sue Alcock second, and Karen Cookson third. Winner of the Silver Division, with an outstanding score of 36 points, was Linda Brobson, with Aimee Sawyer second, with 32 and Anita Burcher third, with 30.
The Ladies also held a Bogey Competition at the weekend, the Vyvyan Clare Trophy. This was won by Sarah James, who ended +4, with Lynn Cox second, on even and Anita Butcher third on -2.
The Ladies’ Alliance B Team had a fine win 12-2 over Saltford A Team, with wins recorded by Vi Hayes, Linda Brobson, Chris Down, Jean Padfield, Jenny Merrett and Elaine Kitchenham.
The Alliance A Team has experienced a fairly difficult season in Division One of the Bristol and District Alliance, where many of the teams can field an array of County players. Whilst it has been an excellent experience, it is back to Division Two next season.
However the Ladies Inter Club Team have enjoyed better fortunes, and whilst they lost their last fixture away to Cricket St Thomas 3-4 (wins for Jean Padfield and Diane Stanton and halves for Anita Butcher and Chris Williams), nevertheless they have gained promotion to Division Two next season. The Ladies also had three KO Trophies to compete for and the Optimists Cup went to Sue Needham, who beat Sandie Roper, the Fanstone Cup was won by Chris Olds, who beat Vi Hayes and the Corson Cup went to Nichola Croft, who beat Linda Brobson.
Tony Williams