Octogenarian Eric claims his first hole-in-one

A HECTIC golfing week at Worlebury saw full fields in all the competitions and a couple of holes-in-one to celebrate.

The highlight of the week was 88-year-old Eric Waghorn claiming his first hole-in-one since taking up the game in 1979. Diminutive Eric, a former captain and president of the club, was overjoyed when his seven iron rolled gently into the hole on the second.

A few days later, six handicapper Dave Treleaven holed out on the same hole with a pitching wedge in a seniors’ competition. It was also a very good week for Jim Walton and Pete Gilpin.

Jim, who has only played golf for three years, won the prestigious Battle of Britain Cup with a net 60 which, much to his delight, resulted in his handicap being reduced to single figures. He beat Fred Brook by one shot and John Jones by four.

Consistent Pete, won Division 1 of the monthly medal with a level par round of 70 (net 65). Steve Gray was second with a nett 69 and Steve Durston third on 70.

There was a close finish in Division 2 with the top four all having a nett 66. Graham Hewlett won on countback from Mark Lancaster and Steve Bellingham. Former captain, Steve Rowlands, lost out on the prizes, but was rewarded with a cut in his handicap and elevation to Division 1.

Yet another Steve, this time Archibald, won Divison 3 with a 64, beating Jason Dean on countback, with Terry Santo third with a 65.

The junior’s summer competitions got under way with Alex Chandler and Mikey Nicholls’s performances such as to see both having their handicaps cut by four strokes.

Alex won the Eric Snow Trophy with a nett 61, beating first team player Jack Partridge into second with a 67. Davina Xahn’s 36 points won the 15-hole Stableford competition, edging out Steve Watson on countback.

Mikey won the medal with a nett 63, pipping Dylan Xahn into second place with a 66. Owen Denyer won the 18-hole Stableford competition with 45 points, with Jack Butterfied runner-up on 43.

A jubilant Eric Waghorn is pictured being congratulated by Worlebury captain Keith Wharton.

Jim Walton being presented with his trophy by Worlebury captain Keith Wharton, flanked by Graham Hewlett (lef) and Pete Gilpin (right).

WORLEBURY Golf Club ladies hosted their invitation day, which was well attended.

The winners with 53 points were Carole Miles of Worlebury and Kathy McLaughlin from Meon Valley. Michelle James (Worlebury) and Pam Hudson (Weston) were second with 52 on the back nine and Amanda Cook (Worlebury) and Joyce Forrester (Tall Pines) came third also with 52.

The nearest the pin prize on the second hole for Worlebury members was Emma Limer, and nearest the pin for visitors on the 12th was Pam Hudson.

The ladies also held the Prunier Cup, which is only open to those who have won a medal competition throughout the last year. The winner was Lisa Griffiths with an excellent score of 67 (20).

Winners of the Stella Hammond Salver which is a mixed competition for senior men and ladies, were Michelle James and Denis Thompson with 48 points. Runners-up were John Jones and Pam Burnell with 46.

Worlebury ladies invitation day winners Carole Miles and Kathy McLauglin with captain Pam Burnell and vice-captain Marnie Sweet.

WESTON juniors were out in force for the Erskine Pollock Trophy.

Sam Fernley’s attempt to retain the trophy were scuppered when he picked up a foot injury halfway round. However, Harry Turner and James Holt could only be separated on countback, both finishing with 38 points. Vice-captain, Turner shading it with a better back nine.

Highest points scorer on the day was Christian Albon, who came in with a fantastic 52 points from his club handicap. The competition also featured nine-year-old Ben Griffith, playing in his first-ever competition.

Weston’s second mixed open of the year was played in punishing conditions. It was the visiting players who took top honours with the Clevedon pair of Mark and Carole D’Ammassa winning with 39 points in the greensomes event.

The best Weston pairing were stalwarts John Morgan and Sue Andow, with Dave and Sue Garrett coming fourth to ensure qualification for the prestigious Claude Lalonde Trophy later in the year.

Weston’s men visited Burnham and Berrow in the annual club match and managed a creditable draw. Weston captain Steve Corrick partnered by Chris Homer had a 2&1 win over an experienced Burnham pair.

Former captains John Whitewood and Mark Short made a formidable partnership and won 3&2. With the match tied at 2-2, the scene was set for the last pairing of Andy Zanelli and Alan Harris to clinch the match, but on the final green a lip out from Harris and a great saving putt from the Burnham player, ensured the match ended in a tie.

Weston juniors James Holt, Harry Turner, George Worthington and Christian Albon (front).

THERE was evidence of the growing strength of junior golf at Wedmore, with four young ladies taking the first four places in the Somerset Golf Partnership competition at Taunton Vale.

Leading the way in the nine-hole competition was Hannah Abraham scoring 25 points. Remarkably the other three girls were just one point behind with 24 points. Second place went to Harriet Lockley, with Georgia Pope third and Jennifer Hughes fourth. Jennifer, who is 10-years-old, had her first hole-in-one at the fourth at Wedmore the previous week.

The slightly older ladies played the most testing of formats, foursomes for their competition last week and came in with some good scores.

Leading the way were Cathy Olive and Wendy Lucas whose 37 points just beat Sue Tarry and Janis Lawrence on countback. Liz Hill and Val Webber were third just a shot further back.

Top scores in the club Stableford were amongst the lower handicappers in Division 1. John Melwani and John Russell both amassed 42 points, with Melwani just getting first place by virtue of a better back six. James Vowles was a shot back in third.Brian Webber led the way in Division 2 on 41, just ahead of John Rowland with Tony Biggs a shot further back in third. The top three in Division 3 all finished on 38 points, countback placed Pete Beavan ahead of David Stacey with Nigel Litton third.

Claire Biggs was the clear winner in the ladies’ silver division. Her 38 points was four ahead of Cathy Olive. In bronze division, Pauline Hale beat Di Cornelius on countback, both scoring 35 points.

The Wedmore Mens B team have had a fantastic season so far. They registered their sixth consecutive win, 4-1 against Windwhistle, taking them 20.5 points ahead of nearest rivals Minehead, who have two games in hand.

Success has been built on stability. Team captain Mike Garbutt with partner Keith Jackson have won all eight games this season, while Tom Smith and Dom Channon have won the six games they have played in.

Young Wedmore golfers Hannah Abraham, Georgia Pope and Harriet Lockley with ladies captain Deidre Wheadon and Harriet’s sister Ffion.

FOLLOWING Dan Broom’s success in last weekend’s club championship, there was yet more Broom’s cleaning up at Brean, as Saturday’s Pro Shop Stableford also went in the family’s direction.

This time it was Dan’s cousin Tom who took centre stage as he posted a superb 48 point haul to win the event. In second place Dan’s father Richard carded what is usually a winning score of 43, but he had to settle for runners-up prize behind his nephew. John Owen was the best non-Broom as he took third on 42.

A large field of 36 players turned up for the seniors Texas scramble expecting to endure a wet morning of competition. The weathermen got it wrong though and for the most part the conditions were dry and pleasant for the 12 teams of three.

Scoring was pretty good with the winning trio beating par by 10 shots. That team consisted of Pete Douglas, Barrie Yearsley and Tony Tissington and they beat the Jones brothers of Dave and Eric, along with Dave Bradley into second by almost shots shots.

It was another two shot gap to the final prizewinners in the shape of Jim Longford, Don Ashman and Wally Pape on 63.9.

Brean seniors narrowly lost out in their latest match of the season. They faced Taunton Vale at the Creech St Michael venue, but went down by 3.5 games to 2.5.

This week sees Brean assistant pro, Roy Baker, teeing it up in the National PGA assistants’ final at Coventry Golf Club.

After qualifying earlier in the season with ease from the regional final, he travels to the Midlands venue hoping to put in a good performance in his first year in the paid ranks.