Even a week away from the shortest day, the Men of Mendip were brave enough to tackle a Qualifying Stableford.
The course was in extremely good order, bearing in mind the time of year and there was plenty of evidence of the greenkeeper's efforts to implement the winter tidying-up programme. Many rough areas have been cleared and lower limbs of many of the trees have been cut back. Division Three was won by Terry Williams, with 35 points, followed by Neville Harvey, with 33, and Robert Earney, with 31.
Division Two saw an outstanding round of 43 points from James Herniman, with Club Chairman, Ian Fairclough, second, with 34 points, beating Michael Treasure on countback. Division One saw another fine score, this time forty points from Richard Kefford, with Peter Davies second, with 38, and Adrian Payne, third, with 36.
Saturday, 10th January saw one of the early season highlights, the new Club Captain, Martin Wilkins, and Captain of the Ladies Section, Chris Down, 'driving in' to their new roles. Despite days of heavy rain, the course showed its excellent draining features with only three temporary greens being necessary. It is always a nice problem to have, but there is difficulty in accommodating all those who wish to play. At 9.30 a.m., the shotgun start saw teams of four doubled up on nine of the tees, making 108 players in all and it says something that all players were finished within four hours. On completion of the round, the ceremonial drive-in took place in front of a large audience and a very full clubhouse celebrated the occasion in grand style well through most of the afternoon.
Despite a strong wind and lack of run on the ball, scoring was high and in fourth position were the team of Ian Stolworthy, Alan Fussell, Martin Myers and Richard Jeffrey, with 91 points, beating two other teams on countback. They themselves were beaten on countback by the thirdplaced team of Peter Davies, Ray Ashman, David Young and Leon Clay. In second place, with 92 points, were the team of First Team Captain, David Cox, Paul Reakes, John Tweed and making his first appearance on the course (and in a short sleeved shirt!), new Managing Secretary, David Nelson.
However, in first place, with an amazing 100 points, were Matt Lambert, handicap three, Danny Middle, handicap nine, Steve Coates, handicap eleven, and not for the first time this winter, Alan O'Leary, handicap seventeen.
In the Ladies Competition, second place went to the very strong team of Fran Davies, Edwina Willis, Patricia Rawlins and Marian Speed, with 86 points, but they were beaten by one point by new Ladies Captain, Chris Down, Linda Brobson, Hilary Rowdon and Elaine Kitchenham, with currently injured immediate Past Ladies Captain, Anita Butcher, proving a worthy caddy!
Martin's Captain's Charity this year, supported by Chris, is to be the Forever Friends Appeal, looking to raise £8.5 million towards building a new Cancer Centre at the RUH, Bath. Since the concept of a Captain's Charity Day was launched in 1999, through strenuous efforts of successive Captains, club officials, members and guests, over £170,000 has been raised for a variety of good causes. The year has got off to a good start with £422 being raised for the use of the Charity Car Parking Spot, this year won by Martin D. Russell.
Finally, a date to put in your diary now – Mendip Captain's Charity Day will this year be held on Thursday, 16th July. Please support Martin in this most important of days.