Josh makes a successful debut for Somerset development squad

REIGNING Worlebury Golf Club champion, Josh Freeman, along with Simon Dempsey and Alex Winn, entered the 70-strong field county championship at Taunton and Pickeridge.

It was Josh who caught the eye, playing particularly well to finish fifth in the gross competition and winning the nett. A consistent performance saw him return two gross 70s, two over par, no mean feat on a course which was unfamiliar to him.

Josh bettered the score of a number of players from the county team and his reward was an immediate call up for the Somerset development squad in a match against Gwent at Tredegar Golf Club.

Partnering Kieran Buckley of Taunton and Pickeridge, they recorded a half in the morning foursomes before going on to win 2&1 in his afternoon singles match. This was a promising debut for Josh and gives him a boost in his quest to gain a place in the county first team.

Sam and Graham Hewlett continued their fine form in mixed competitions by comfortably taking the Gertrude Johnson Cup with a nett 68.5. Julie Stafford and Mike Knight came second, scoring 71.5 followed by Cheryl and Barry Saunders two shots adrift.

The Avalon teams had a good weekend especially for the recently formed Royals, who continued their winning start to the season with a resounding 4-1 win at home to The Mendip.

The established side drew a hard-fought match at home against old rivals, Stockwood Vale.

The Stragglers got back to winning ways with a 3.5-1.5 success at home to Filton. The seniors too, with two debutants in Pete Cornish and Paul Hibbard, won a highly enjoyable encounter against Henbury 5.5 to 2.5.

WESTON Golf Club men’s invitation day was played in beautiful sunshine and greeted over 100 players.

Winning with 45 points were Stephen Smith with playing partner Geoff Ellis, followed by Nick Walker and Mike Robinson, Kevin Lane and Darren Bowden, John and Dan Whitwood, Richard Magor and Dan Haywood.

The B&D men’s first team entertained Tall Pines and continued their winning ways with a 3-2 victory, and are flying high in Division 5.

The Stragglers team played The Bristol unfortunately losing 3-2, but everyone enjoyed the evening.

The first mixed greensomes was played with 84 entries and winning on 43 points was Weston pair Kaylee Davey and Jack Radcliffe, followed by Dave and Lyn Pope (40), Dave and Pat Rowland and Kath and Nick Farrant.

The men’s Pickeridge Bowl team played against Long Sutton at Oake Manor, losing 3-2 on the last match on the last green.

Seventy-two competitors braved the conditions for the Weston ladies Spring open event. Strong winds and heavy showers made scoring difficult, but thankfully the fun format eased the situation.

The highest score on the board went to the team of Sue Andow, Eunice Bond, Sue Garrett and Carole Menzies with 81 points. Runners-up and one point behind were Mel Rossi, Sally Brosnan, Reine O’Reilly and Lucy Delaney. In third place was Deidre Wheadon, Di Walker, Tessa Williams and Lynne Johnson with 76.

The fourth prize on the table went to Wendy Thomas, Zena Balcombe, Jan Bishop and Ruth Forte with 75. Pauline Thorogood from Burnham & Berrow won nearest the pin for visitors and Jan Bishop for members. Visitors’ longest drive was Mel Lee and members’ was Joan Jenkinson.

Congratulations to last week’s bronze qualifier for the Barlow Cup winner Kaylee Davey with 35 points.

The B team travelled to Bath for an Alliance match, but were unable to field their strongest team. Many thanks to Cathy Preston for stepping in at the last minute to support the side, but the final score was 13-1 to Bath.

A horrendous day which began with driving rain and finished with a howling gale greeted the players competing for the Weston seniors Foursome Plate. However, a few hardy golfers put together a tidy round with the best pairings Nigel Jillings and Roy Schubert gaining a very respectable 72.5 to win the trophy.

Their score was five shots clear of runners-up Ray Chambers and John Hurcombe, whose nett 78 beat Fred Donbavand and David Snowdon on count back.

LAST week it was the turn of Wedmore lady professional Carol Pope to take on the rest of the ladies in partnership with captain Ann Adams and together they put in an impressive performance.

Their 34 points would have put them in fourth place overall, which just left the three prize winners ahead of them. Jan Jenkins and Alison Buckton just claimed second place on countback ahead of Carol Horsley and Mary-Lou Denny after both scored 35 points.

Clear winners by a margin of three points were Rachel Lockley and Janis Lawrence with a brilliant 38 points.

For once the ladies got the better of the conditions as the seniors had to contend with rain and strong winds. Keith Bellingham was the only player to play to his handicap, winning Division 3 with 36 points, two head of Alasdair McDonald with Colin Clegg third on 33.

There was a close finish in Division 1 with John Sims, following his triumph in the previous week’s Open, just edging out John Bennett after both scored 35 points. Steve Lawrence came third on 34 points which was enough to win him the Committee Trophy.

Division 2 went to Graham Stock with 33 points, which edged him ahead of Terry Simpson on 32 and Derek Osborn on 31.

The weather and scores had improved by Saturday. Rob Cornish led the way in Division 1. His score of 66 put him three clear of John Russell, who beat Geoff Fisher on countback.

David Myers also needed countback to win Division 2 with 67, a par on the 16th being enough to move him clear of Mike Munns. Paul Dickie continued his run of good form to take third place on 69.

Division 3 was won by Liam Cann, his 66 equalling the best score of the day and putting him two points ahead of Brian Fry, with Daniel Milford a further shot back in third.

The ladies completed a good week by regaining the More Trophy from Enmore in the match between the two committees

A ROUND of 74 (five over par) at a wet and blustery Exeter Golf and Country Club saw Brean assistant pro Dan Keitch comfortably qualify for the Galvin Green National PGA Assistants championship final.

He finished in a tie for eighth spot on the day, four shots behind the leader, and claimed one of the 17 places available for the final. He will tee up in the final to be played at Coventry Golf Club on August 5-7.

The Brean seniors enjoyed their game away to Tall Pines and they came away with a respectable result. They drew overall with their hosts at three games each and now look forward to the return match at Brean later in the season.

Back at Brean, Brian Read mastered some windy conditions to win the midweek Stableford. He recorded an impressive card of 40 points to win by five from Wayne Barrett.

Early starter Mike Smith won the first of a trio of Bank Holiday weekend pro shop Stablefords. He posted a 40-point score, one ahead of Tony Richards, while Jim McLauchlan beat Jason Kidley on countback for third on 37.

The following day Roger Phillips was the winner with a superb card of 43 points. He led the rest home by two on a day of good scoring. Mike Carter took second on a countback from his playing partner for the day Dave Bradley, after they had both scored 41.

ENGLAND and Somerset Golf is holding an Under-14 junior open day at Mendip Spring Golf Club on June 14, as part of National Golf Month.

The idea is to get children to try the game in an informal atmosphere with some of the best professionals in the county.

The session lasts for two hours and starts at 9am and all equipment is provided and the event is free. For more information, contact Ian Vibert – ianvibert@hotmail.com