The traditional drive in by Weston Golf Club’s new captains was greeted by a beautiful New Year’s Day.

A BEAUTIFUL New Year’s Day welcomed the traditional drive in by Weston Golf Club’s new captains.

A shotgun start bowmaker followed the drive-in and was won on countback by the team of T James, N Urch, D Hewlett and S Blackaller with 88 points. Also on 88 points and beaten into second place were R Fowler, G Taylor, Glenn Taylor and J Milson.

Third with 86 points were P Burns, T Walker, P Hardaway, and S Jones; fourth on countback with 83 points were D Garrett, S Garrett, J Jenkinson and T Jenkinson, just beating G Homer, W Homer, D Andow and S Andow. In sixth place were S Acton, P Acton, J Searle and S Thomas.

From left: Weston Golf Club captain Steve Corrick, ladies’ captain Di Walker, seniors’ captain Mike Hill and junior captain Sam Fernley.

THE first competition of the year was held at Worlebury Golf Club on New Year’s Day.

This was the Princess Diana Salver, which is a Texas scramble format open to men, ladies’ and juniors, played in teams of three. Fortunately, after all of the rain of the previous week, the day was fine and sunny.

The winners were: D James, S Taylor and C Miles 52 2/3; runners-up: J Blackman, P Burnell, K Brown 55; third: G Miles, T Bright, J Knight 56 2/3.

The winners being presented with the salver by lady captain Pam Burnell.

THE traditional captain’s drive-in took place at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club last weekend.

The shotgun start bowmaker competition that followed was won by the junior captain’s team consisting of Arthur Dickson-Bell, Charlie Huggins, Harry Longman and Lewis Norton-Collins with 91 points.

Second on countback with 87 points were the team of Pete Yensen, Jocelyn Tomlinson, Tony Charalambous and Jim Vearncombe. Third were Robin Griffiths, Stuart Norton-Collins, Dave Harries and Steve O’Connell.

Burnham Golf Club captain Martin Wilkins, ladies’ captain Mandy Vickers, seniors’ captain Mike Armstrong and juniors’ captain Arthur Dickson-Bell are pictured with club president Tony Hill.

MIKE Porter and Tony Romeo started the year in fine style as they picked up the first cups on offer at Brean in 2013.

With all 18 holes open for the first time in a few weeks, Porter returned a best of the day nett 64 to win the New Years Trophy, which is awarded to the best overall score in the January medal.

As well as taking the trophy, he also secured a three shot victory in Division 2 over Ian Adams. Both of the other two divisions were won with nett 65s as Barrie Tucker was the winner of the top division, while Tony Romeo claimed Division 3.

Romeo also took the Deacon Cup which is awarded to the best score from a Division 3 player. Runners-up were Paul Jones with 68 in Division 1 and Bob Masterman in the third flight.

The Treasurers Trophy was washed out late last year and attracted a decent entry on its re-arranged date. Twenty-two pairs contested, which ended with two David’s leading the way.

Barthram and Benjafield combined to accumulate a winning 42 points to take the silverware by a point from Dave Bradley and captain-elect Brian Read. Third place another point back was the low handicap duo of Murray Parsons and Russell Shaw.

The seniors’ Stableford was the first competition played at Brean in the new calendar year and Pete Douglas took the honours. Despite a dry few days to start 2013, the course was still suffering from the wet weather and only 15 holes were in play.

Douglas collected 33 points over the reduced circuit and won by two from Roger Blackwell. Pat Mullholland was third on 30.

THE new year got off to an explosive start on New Year’s Day at Wedmore, with new vice-captain Brad Ruddick holing his tee shot on the par three second hole.

This was in the yellow ball bowmaker which eased players back into the game and inspired his team, also comprising Chris Norris, John Melwani and Bob Jones, to some brilliant golf as they went on to win by 12 clear points.

Their total of 126 was too good for the rest of the field, with runners-up Josh Barwell, Scott Perry , John Russell and Ian Robson scoring 114 which just pushed Rob Davis, Dominic Channon, Don Edmundson and Ben Barwell back into third place with 113. At least the weather started on a bright note and there were drinks for all those who were still up to it after the night before courtesy of that hole-in-one.