Weston Golf Club host the Irlam Trophy, a husband and wife foursomes Stableford event.

TWENTY six couples competed for the Irlam Trophy at Weston Golf Club, a husband and wife foursomes Stableford competition, now in its 43rd year.

George Irlam and his first wife Eileen first presented the handsome silver bowl back in 1969. Sadly, the original trophy was stolen during a recent burglary at the club, but luckily George had a replica made at the same time and so this was used as a replacement. This has now been donated to the club.

Sally Irlam takes great delight in organising the current event, which is a keenly fought contest among many of the club’s long established and newly recruited couples.

The prize presentation took place during the dinner following play and the winning pair Andy and Zena Balcombe was proud to receive the trophy. The winning score of 40 points from Andy and Zena were two ahead of Tim and Alysia Rees, past captains of the club. Third place went to defending champions Matt and Sally Brosnan.

? SIXTY three Weston seniors played for the Jonathan Latham Trophy for the first time.

The trophy is in memory of a past seniors’ captain who died suddenly last May and was kindly presented to the club by a group of Jonathan’s friends at the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club where he had been a member.

It was decided, with the agreement of his wife, Glenda, that as Jonathan had been seniors’ captain that the trophy should be played for by that section of the club. It was decided that the trophy would be contested through a medal competition, off white tees, and with a maximum allowable handicap of 18.

It was a good performance by the winner, Keith Davey, but the whole field was pleased to remember a lost friend and fine golfer.

Results: Keith Davey 81 (16) 65; Chris Kelly 85 (19) 66; Trevor Knott 75 (8) 67; Tony Chapman 76 (9) 67; Dave Farmer 81 (13) 68; John Banfield 88 (20) 68; Terry Holden 83 (14) 69; Dave Rowland 75 (5) 70.

? WORLEBURY Golf Club champion Simon Dempsey partnered by Avalon team member Dennis Thompson, put in an excellent team display with a 49 point haul to take the open pairs title.

The Stableford event attracted a large field including players from many other golf clubs. The winners ended up a full four points clear of the field, with all other placed teams in a close fight for the other prize positions

Results: Simon Dempsey & Dennis Thompson 49pts; Billy Coles & Terry Bradley 45; Alan Hartree & Bernie Slade 43; Steve Gray & Stuart Lock 43; Rob Furlong & J Bush 43.

Dempsey again showed why he is club champion by carding a fantastic personal gross 61 to come in nine under par on the day, carding an eagle on the notoriously difficult 18th to finish off an excellent round.

Only 12 players qualified and played in the Pro Trophy final by virtue of making the cut set by Gary Marks the club professional of net 68 some weeks earlier.

The final, a medal competition, was won by Joe Dale with a net 70, just edging out Martin Morgan on countback. Cameron McLeod was third on 71.

The seniors’ held their monthly medal which incorporated the Bernard Oldfield Salver as an added incentive.

Results: Michael Parfitt (82) 66; John Ford (81) 67; Robert Webber (83) 67.

? THERE were two Stablefords and a medal at Wedmore Golf Club this week.

First up were the seniors which produced some fantastic scores. Being new to the seniors usually means you are younger than most and Steve Heal made full use of his debut to score 44 points which only just got him ahead of low-handicappers Tony Glover and Keith Thomas, who both scored 42.

Ron Barrett has been around for a few years but is having a cracking season and he won Division 2 with 44 points. This put him four points ahead of Derek Osborn who was a further point ahead of Bob Jackson.

Dennis Pear took Division 3 with 43 points to win by six clear points from Alan Perry with Mike Clarke three more points back in third.

As usual, the weather was cold, wet and windy for the ladies’ Stableford which made for fewer points, but a close finish in both divisions. 34 points was the score of the day, good enough to win Division 1 for Cathy Olive on countback from Jane Midgley with Shirley Turner a point back in third.

In Division 2, all the first three players scored 34 points meaning countback was required to separate winner Deidre Wheadon from runner-up Sarah Mathews and third-placed Ann Adams.

The weather was better for the club medal on Sunday leading to excellent scoring, particularly in the top divisions.

Nick Parker had a net 65 to win Division 1, one shot ahead of Don Edmondson with David Eley a further shot back in third. Best score of the day went to Ian Robson who won Division 2 with a net 64, five ahead of Malcolm Tanner with Rob Davis beating Mark Coombes on countback for third.

JE Sims won the third division with 69, two ahead of Glen Vearncombe, a familiar name and Martin Blackmore. Best of the ladies were Louise Allen (71) and Jan Jenkins (72).

? WORLEBURY Ladies held their captain’s day with a popular waltzing bowmaker.

The 46 ladies sat down to an excellent meal and the lady captain Janet Keight thanked all those involved in the organising and running of her successful day. Vice-captain Sylvia Cook presented the captain with a gift from the membership.

Winners on the day were: Ginette Baker, Carol Miles and Sheila Robinson 72pts (back nine); Maxine Gardiner, Judy Nichols and Maureen Williams; Amanda Cook, Joyce Tiney and Jill Hobbs 71.

Best front nine: Lynn Johnston, Sue Kinch and Jean Beat; best back nine: Margaret Ford, Janet Jamieson and Amanda du Rose; nearest the pin (2nd) Silver Division: Jill Phillips; nearest the pin (6th) Bronze Division: Amanda du Rose.

Lady professional Sarah Burnell issued a personal challenge to the field in the form of a nearest the pin drive on the 16th. Sarah generously provided gifts for the few stalwarts who rose to the occasion.