Charity fundraising off to a fine start at Brean

BREAN Golf Club’s annual charity fundraising got off to a great start with a highly successful event.

This year’s chosen charity is locally based ‘In Charley’s Memory’ founded by Jo Clements following the tragic death of her 18-year-old son Charley last September. Seventeen teams took to the course at Brean for the popular event and at the end of the day the figure raised was just over the £2,000 mark.

The winners of the team competition were the defending champions from last year, the Clutterbucks. Les Clutterbuck, Mel Brown and David and Eric Jones made up the quartet which racked up a massive 89 points and a healthy eight-point winning margin.

Runners-up were a team called the Favourites, but only an each way bet would have paid out for them. Simon Baunton, Wayne Barrett, Dave Porter and Phil Hodgson scored 81 points to take second place. Third place on 80 was the Jones Bros team made up of Paul and Steve Jones, Pete Barton and Eamonn Wynne.

They were one point in front of Manc’s Mob consisting of Steve Eley, Pete Lismore, Roger Pople and Neil Barker. The final prize went to the Dream Team of captain Stuart Wills, Paul McLanaghan, Martyn Cahill and Andy Thomas.

Mike Porter produced a stunning round of 42 points to take both the April Stableford and the Millennium Trophy as he led home the field by two shots.

Bob Toller was the runner-up in his best finish since joining Brean from the now defunct Taunton Vale. On most days, his 40-point score would have been a winning one, but Porter just pipped him. Third place went to Colin Roberts on 37.

Two days earlier, the seniors team took on Kingweston in the first leg of their annual two-leg battle for the KingBrean Trophy. The home side led by skipper Bob Hurrell prevailed by four games to two and will now look to defend that lead in the away game later in the year.

Both Avalon League teams had home games and both recorded narrow 3-2 wins over their opposition.

The Division 2 side were first into action against local rivals Isle of Wedmore. In the difficult windy conditions they improved greatly on their last home game to take the overall win.

The Division 6 team followed suit with a similar margin of victory over their Orchardleigh counterparts to maintain their good start to the season.

Just 24 hours later and in an exact repeat of the 2011 Somerset Bowl final, Brean beat Wheathill by four games to one. The game was played at the same Enmore Park venue that Brean’s historic 2011 win was also contested over as they moved into round two.

Stewart Garrett was the winner of the Super Series round held. His 39 points claimed him the full 10 points in the series table and a one-point advantage over ladies’ captain Suzanne Hatfield.

Hatfield knocked another shot off her handicap with her 38 point round. Pete Dunn matched that score, but missed out on countback and had to settle for third.

TWENTY-three teams of Weston seniors were greeted by a beautiful warm April day to compete for their fourball betterball event.

The course was in great condition, so good scores were inevitable. They came in large numbers to the extent that second place could only be decided after a four-team countback.

However, the decisive winners with a great score of 45 points were Geoffrey Seaman and Maurice Miller. Second place was eventually decided on countback and went to Graham Osman and Nick Bohin with a fine 43. Terry Whybrow and Raymond Harris were third.

The fine weather continued for the ladies’ closed meeting, creating some great scores on the fairways. Moira Parish was the clear winner with a superb 68 and Sally Brosnan was the runner-up on 71.

Three players achieved 73 with Linda Papworth taking the third slot by virtue of countback.

The ladies friendly team played their first match of the season at home against Clevedon, recording a 3.5-1.5 win. Special mention to Dodie Waterhouse and Cathy Preston for an excellent result in their match.

THE usual busy week at Wedmore got underway with a seniors’ Stableford with some fantastic scoring.

Division one gave up eight under par rounds of 44 points, with David Taylor just edging ahead of Tom Bennett on countback to take first place. Dennis Pear was three points back in third place.

Division 2 was just as close with George Smith edging out David Bates on countback after both scored 38 points. John Hogan was just a point back in third.

Peter Hathaway was another player to break 40 points, winning Division 3 with 41 points. This put him two ahead of Colin Clegg with Barrie Gardiner third with 38 points.

Some of the seniors were in action again when they took on Wincanton at Cricket St Thomas in the first round of the Somerset Bowl.

There were one or two frights along the way, but eventually they moved through to the second round by three matches to two.

Back at Wedmore, the ladies were playing a bowmaker and, not for the first time this year, a team playing one short took first place. Desiree McGowan and Trish Phelps scored 70 points, which was one better than the team of past captains, Cathy Olive, Jane Hewitt and Ange Webber in second place.

Current captain Ann Adams was also in the places, coming third alongside Liz Hill and Jill Cornelius with 66 points.

The week ended with the final mixed greensomes of the winter with yet another close finish. Ange Webber went one better than Thursday, winning alongside Jim Dobbs with 41 points. This was just one better than John Cutter and Maggs Willetts and Chris Donald and Sue Tarry, both of whom came in with 40 points.

Winners of mixed greensomes at Wedmore: Chris Donald, Sue Tarry, John Cutter, Maggs Willetts, Ange Webber and Jim Dobbs celebrating with organiser Ken Willetts.

ON A DAY their Avalon team-mates were recording a win against the club’s Stragglers, Keri Allchurch and Tony Westren were one of two teams representing Worlebury in the Mockeridge Cup at Wheathill Golf Club.

In a large field, with 28 pairs taking part, Keri and Tony blended extremely well, recording five birdies on their way to winning the competition with 43 points.

The newly-formed Worlebury Royals also entered a team, being represented by vice-captain, Nathan Talbot and team member, John Melwani. They finished in a respectable ninth position with 37 points.

Club member, Steve Collard, managing director of Commsplus Ltd, has been a staunch supporter of the junior section over many years. Davina Xahn became the first girl winner when she lifted the cup this year.

Conditions were not easy as it was a blustery day, but 16 handicapper, Davina pipped Mikey Nicholls on countback, both playing well to score 38 points. Her round included three birdies. Junior captain, Charlie Camper, came third with 34 points and Jack Butterfield won the nearest the pin prize on the 12th.

The Captain Pro Challenge is well underway with Peter Phillips and Gary Marks starting well and recording three straight wins. They came slightly unstuck, however, in their latest match against Paul McAdams and Andy Taylor, recording a fighting half.

The seniors held a three clubs and a putter competition which was won by 16 handicapper Chris Nelson, with an amazing 46 points. Roy Brown was second with 40.

Brian Book pipped John Jones on countback, both scoring 39 and Kenny Yam came fifth with 38.

The seniors social matches have started in earnest. In their latest encounter they beat Stockwood Vale 5-2 at home. Tony Foster had the round of the day with three birdies and an eagle on the 10th hole. Incredibly this was only good enough for him and his partner to get a half in their match.

The Stragglers had their first competitive match of the season, going down to Bristol and Clifton.