They are well known for their prowess as professional sports stars in the county, but Matt Banahan of Bath Rugby and Peter Trego, of Somerset County Cricket Club, swapped ball and bat for golf clubs to help raise funds for the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance at the recent Butcombe Golf Day, held at Farrington Park Golf Club.

Over 120 players took part in the day, which is organised and hosted annually by Butcombe Brewery. Banahan, who is a keen golfer with a single figure handicap, played in a fourball with his brother, Paul, Peter Trego and his uncle, Peter Banahan.

Winners on the day were Farrington Park’s team consisting of Senior members, Phil Thompson, Ian Clement, Tony Clement and Richard Clark, with 99 points.

“This is an exceptional annual event,” said Butcombe Brewery’s Managing Director, Geraint Williams. “We had excellent weather, strong competition and at the same time, raised funds for a critical emergency service in the county. Farrington Park showed us tremendous hospitality and some of the best playing conditions in Somerset.”

Jon Cowgill, Director at Farrington Park Golf Club, was also full of praise for the day. “Butcombe know how to put on a great event and everyone left having enjoyed a terrific day out – not just for the competitive golf, but for the really good social atmosphere as well. We are also pleased to have helped raise £650 for the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.”

Ladies Spring into action

87 ladies from around the West Country played last week in Farrington Park’s Ladies Spring Open. With two out of three Stableford scores counting on each hole, anything over 75 points was exceptional in the conditions.

Best visitors’ team was Mary Perkins, Pauline Murphy and Kim Fry, from Bath Golf Club, with an excellent score of 76 points. Also on 76 points was Sue Stilwell, Mandy Hobbs and Clare Salter, who took the best home team prize. It was the Farrington Park team of Jackie Hobbs, Cynthia Miller and Lin Papadopoullos who took the overall winners’ prize with an outstanding eighty points.

Farrington Park Ladies travelled to Orchardleigh Golf Club, near Frome, on Wednesday 27th April, to play Long Sutton Ladies in the first round of the Rogers Cup. Farrington Park won this Somerset Ladies Golf Association knock-out competition twice in 2009 and 2011 and were runners-up in 2012. A team of seven and their caddies faced a Long Sutton team of Ladies with lower handicaps. Although this meant our ladies would receive shots, this was looking to be a tough match. Played in handicap order, the first three matches found themselves two down at one stage, but fought back with determination to win their games. The Farrington Park Ladies just needed to win one more match to go through to the next round – the fourth match out was so keenly contested that extra holes were played for a result. To the delight of the Farrington Park Ladies, it was won on the twentieth hole in their favour. The final result was Farrington Park Ladies 4, Long Sutton, 3. Farrington Park will now face Enmore Park Ladies in the second round at Weston-super-Mare Golf Club?.

Men

In the Saturday Stableford on 23rd April, players are getting used to the white tees being back. Some good scoring was attained, with a top score from Mark Wintersgill, with forty points, topping Division One with Lee Francis a close second, with 39 points and Rob Sharpe in third, with 38 points. Division Two saw an outstanding score from Matthew Chard, with a total of 42 points, taking top prize with Dave Jewell second, with a score of 39 points and Dave Collins third, on 36 points.

The Sunday Stableford (24th April) was played in benign conditions and it was all square in Division One, with the top three all on 38 points, with Clive Stillwell winning the honours on countback from Sean Watts, in second and Mark Chandler in third. In Division Two, it was a good day at the office for Neil Morgan with 36 points followed in second by Steve Ball on 34 points and Nic Jordan in third, on 33 points.

Seniors

Eric and Ernie famously sang ‘Bring Me Sunshine’, not a request, more of a plea! Global warming tried its utmost to confuse us all and we seniors are easily confused! All four seasons were visited in a four hour period, but thankfully, it was only the thunder that failed to make an appearance.

Results from a Tennessee Waltz competition involving 72 players: 1st, Hedges, Liberty, Gay, 84 points, 2nd, Russell, Wilkinson, Punchard, 83 points, 3rd, Thomas, Nott, Skyrme, 82points, 4th, Tyrell, Ridene, Nash, 81 points, 5th Hall, Ball, Lewis, 80 points.

Nearest the Pins on 5th, David Metcalfe; 8th, Nigel Punchard; 14th, Rob Thain; 15th, Doug Nash.

Farrington Park Seniors playing at home beat West Wilts, 5–1.