The annual competition played at Farrington Park for the Triples Trophy for teams of three, comprising of one lady, one man and a junior, was played in beautiful spring sunshine, with the competition of one score counting on par three holes, two scores on par four and three on par fives.

Some enjoyable golf was played by all ages and it was very close at the top. In second place was the team of Pete Hansford, Izzy Hansford and Liz Thomas, scoring 81 points, but taking top honours, with an outstanding score of 83 points, were the team of Rob Riccio, Alex Bendall and Pauline Brixey. A beautiful sponge cake made by Pauline and eaten during their round, inspired her fellow team members to win the Triples Trophy.

Ladies

On Monday morning Farrington Park Ladies welcomed a very strong team from The Mendip to play in the first friendly match of 2016. The weather reminded us that winter had not yet gone into hibernation, but at least it was dry. Pat Roscow and Sue Forshaw led the way with a fine win and although several matches made it to the eighteenth, it was not enough to avoid a 4–1 defeat.

Losing on the eighteenth was a definite theme for the other teams over the last ten days, with defeat on the eighteenth by Pauline Brixey and Jo Carter against Enmore Park, played at Saltford in the Centenary Plate. Also Mandy Hobbs and Clare Salter lost on the eighteenth after battling back from five down against Henbury in the Handicap Foursomes. In the Daily Mail Foursomes, Sue Stilwell and Terri O’Shea also fought back from four down to only finally lose by one on the eighteenth at home against Saltford.

Unfortunately, our Mail on Sunday team, playing in atrocious conditions at Dewstow Golf Course against Dewstow Ladies, lost 3½ to 1½ in the third round. Huge thanks to all the ladies and their caddies who played in the teams. Our best wishes to our Roger’s Cup Team and caddies who take on Long Sutton Golf Club at Orchardleigh on Wednesday, 27th April.

On Thursday, the annual Foxy Lady Trophy competition took place in some sunshine but no rain. 43 ladies took part playing in threes, in a qualifying Stableford format. There were also skill prizes and two spots. Some very good scores were managed. The overall winner, with 41 points, was Didi Ager, second was Margaret Seery, with 37 on countback, from Gail Proctor and Lally Gibson. Fifth was Lo Dallocco on countback from Sue Stilwell, both with 35. Peggy Edwards won the Nearest the Pin Bronze Division, but no Silver Division player won the Nearest the Pin, so the money went to the Captain’s Charity. Well done to all.

Seniors

On yet another wonderful Wednesday, clear blue skies welcomed Farrington Park Seniors. All three divisions were keenly contested in the first qualifying Stableford competition of the season. A clear winner of Division Three was the improving Len Salter, with 39 points. Division One was a much tighter affair, with Dave Brain winning on countback with 35 points. In Division Two, winning by a whisker was Ray Wilkinson, with 40 points, with Tony Thorp in good form in second place, one point adrift.

Results – Division One: Dave Brain, 35 points, Bob Chappell, 35 points, Paul Thomas, 34 points, Leo Seddon, 34 points, Bill Sims, 33 points. Division Two: Ray Wilkinson, 40 points, Tony Thorp, 39 points, Alan

Skivington, 38 points, Bob McKeegan Brown, 35 points, Graham Marsh, 33 points.

Division Three: Len Salter, 39 points, Bill Waddington, 36 points, Gerald Shearn, 35 points, Bill Lane, 34 points, Nigel Savage, 34 points.

In the first round of the Seniors Somerset Rosebowl, Farrington Park won the first three matches to defeat a strong Tall Pines team at Saltford. Farrington Park will now play local rivals, The Mendip, in the second round in what is sure to be a hotly-contested match.

Men

Over 150 competitors from around the South West played in the Men’s Spring Open at Farrington Park last Saturday.

In tough conditions from the white tees many struggled, but the home team of Rob Perkins, James Mason, Gary Balkham and Tony Beavon came through with 91 points, by one point, from Paul Williams, Sean Watts, Chris Lindley and Stuart Woodman, 90 points.

Results – Overall winners: Rob Perkins, James Mason, Gary Balkham, Tony Beavon, 91 points, 1st Visitors: Steve Pike, Keith Funnel, Lawrence Weir, John Harper, 87 points, 1st Members: Paul Williams, Sean Watts, Chris Lindley, Stuart Woodman, 90 points.

In the 17th April Sunday Stableford, Steve Coles topped Division One with 39 points, beating Mark Chandler into second place on countback with Steve Kingman in third, with 37 points. Division Two saw a good round from Ethan Flanagan with 37 points taking top honours, with Bruce Palmer in second on 33 points and Ben Park in third with 31 points.

The arrival of new quality shirts sponsored by Solartech sent the Avalon team on the short trip to Isle of Wedmore in high spirits. Tom Snelling and Duncan Bratt got the team off to a great start with a fine 3&2 victory. Paul Thomas and Nick Russell were out next and were soon three down. They held on, but eventually lost 4&3. Steve Hobbs and Jamie Rawlings played some good golf to secure a fine 2&1 win. Mark Crook and Gay Prater battled to secure a half, with the last game won by Mark and Guy Adams by a 3&2 margin. A fine 3½ to 1½ win and 12½ valuable points secured.