Neil Barker secured victory in Brean Golf Club's annual Christmas Open running stableford on the final day of 2021.

Barker's 43 points was the leading return over the two weeks of competition which he compiled on the opening day's play and it was never matched or beaten.

Nigel Ellis posted 42 points the following day to take second place whilst a couple of final day 41 point scores took the third and fourth spots.

Dave Jolly beat Tony Richards over the back nine countback to finish in third place.

The remaining six main event prizes all went to all the 40 point scores, with the computer countback working over time to separate them over the back nine, six and three holes as required of each card.

Steve Martin took fifth with the best of those cards ahead of former member Steve Bawden, now at Isle of Wedmore, in sixth.

Bawden took advantage of the opportunity of a game over the festive period when his own course was waterlogged.

Brian Read posted two 40 point scores over the course of the event and finished in both seventh and 10th positions.

Adam Cox and Pete Barton finished in between Read's score to end in eighth and ninth place respectively.


Sunday's Winter League Stableford launched the 2022 competition programme at Brean and the outcome was a close run affair after two players handed in very respectable 42 point returns in damp conditions.

It was Dan Reason who tasted the first victory of the New Year though after winning a countback with Steve Jones courtesy of the better of the two back nine points totals.

Tim Amy claimed third with a steady 40 point scorecard and was one better than a quartet of 39 point scores.

Pete Hackett took the fourth and final prize defeating Steve Eley, Ian Adams and Jack Shepherd after another countback was made.