Stuart wins Brean championship after play-off drama

TWELVE months after a heartbreaking final hole defeat in the Brean Golf Club championship, Stuart Wills finally got his hands on the trophy after a three-hole play-off with Murray Parsons.

In a similar situation to 2014, a player lost a multiple shot lead on the 36th hole of the two-day event, as Parsons found water from the tee to give Wills a second chance.

In the play-off, another errant drive into water by Parsons gave Wills an opening hole advantage he would never relinquish over the next two holes and get his name engraved on the trophy for the first time.

Parsons, like the victor, has amazingly yet to win the trophy and seemed in control until his late blip where he lost three shots to club captain Wills on the final two regulation holes.

The course stood up excellently to the rain and Robin Williams and his team of groundstaff battled against the elements to produce the course in great condition for the premier club event of the calendar year.

Following home the duo, was 2013 winner Dan Broom in third, ahead of defending champion and day one leader Steve Bateman.

Alongside the gross event was a nett competition and the winner was John Mardon, who followed his level par opening salvo with a stunning nett 63 compiled in the worst of Sunday morning’s weather.

Making that score even more remarkable was the fact his opening tee shot went out of bounds and he opened up with a triple bogey seven.

Runner-up to him was Barrie Tucker, who produced two steady rounds to end three shots behind and ahead of third-placed man Roy Fletcher. Ron Vine took fourth spot on 142.

The ladies’ event got reduced to just 18 holes thanks to the heavy rain. Captain Suzanne Hatfield comfortably retained the title she won 12 months earlier, making it a captain’s double as both her and Wills now hold their respective club championships in their term of office.

The seniors’ Phil Fudge Trophy produced some of the lowest scoring of any event at Brean this year. No less than six players scored a nett 64 or better on a day when level par only just crept inside the top 10.

The winner with a stunning 61 was Jim McLauchlan, as he blitzed the course to take the silverware by a stroke from a pair of 62s from Barrie Tucker and Pete Lock. A trio of 64s were close behind, belonging to Ken Ponter, Ray Byatt and Ken Rouse.

Matt Haskins was the only player in the 18-strong field to top the 40-point barrier in the midweek Stableford. His 41-point effort was four clear of the chasing pack which was led by Marc Birt, who edged out Bob Smith on countback.

LIFE at Worlebury continued to combine competition and fun with professional Gary Marks the central figure.

In organising his pro’s weekend, he put on an excellent programme of competitive golf, tempered with a light-hearted touch.

The 16th tee was, as always, the focal point, where Gary put on burgers and beer, excellently barbecued once more by Geoff and Marianne Nute.

The novelty approach had an Alpine flair this year as players donned skis and boots to play their tee shot. Hampered by skis, eight handicapper Nick Carter made it look easy, hitting his tee shot a foot from the pin and rolling in his first birdie on the hole for two seasons.

The prizes for nearest the pin on this hole and also the second, which was won by Dougie Woods, were sponsored by Dave Eddins of Mendip Outdoor Pursuits and Gary expressed his sincere thanks to them for this.

The winner in Division 1 of the singles was Tony Westren, who bagged 45 points, beating James Marshall by one and Chris Whittle by two. Steve Corcoran won Division 2, his 44 points narrowly seeing off Dave Collard and Barry Badger.

As a further twist, the players’ scores were linked to that of the pro at the halfway point in the Open at St Andrews. First prize for this was won by John Keight, who luckily drew Dustin Johnston. Second was Derek Isgrove with Martin Kaymer and Alan Hartree came third, partnered by Marc Warren. Raffle prizes were won by Mike Kingman, Merv Kinch and Mark Cooke.

The following day, it was a pairs competition. This was won by the pairing of former club champion Alan Hartree and assistant head greenkeeper Paul Healy, with an excellent 45 points.

Countback saw John Keight and Paul Hibbard pip Pete Hill and Steve Biddle for second place, both pairs scoring 43 points. Countback also decided fourth and fifth, with Kevin Marshall and Steve Buckley edging it over seasoned campaigners, Pete Gilpin and David Mellor.

Lady captain Maxine Gardener hosted a highly successful mixed section away day at Chippenham Golf Club, with 56 players taking part.

The comfortable winners, returning 91 points, were lady vice-captain Michelle James with husband Darrell and Emma and Russ Bourton. Runners-up were the team of club vice-captain, Paul Lintern, Claire Bayliss, Louise Goodrum and Martin Philp with 86. Third with 81 points were Mike Knight, Julie Stafford and Cheryl and Barry Saunders.

Julie Stafford, Rob Bourton and Graham Hewlett won the nearest the pin prizes. Maxine thanked Chippenham for their hospitality and club captain Peter Phillips for his assistance in organising an enjoyable day.

On hundred and sixty players took part in the seniors’ open, the vast majority of which were visitors to the club. The event however, was won by two locals, D Murrant and J Sokol with 45 points.

Countback was needed to decide the next three places as each pair had 42 points. N Burrows (Filton) and R Kelley (Weston) pipped M Leatt and D Fife (Clevedon), who, in turn, nudged out P Hume and M Pye (Saunton). Mendip Spring members D Munns/P Lewis and M Richards/D Oxenham took fifth and sixth places respectively. Worlebury members, Stuart Lock and Malcolm Summers, used their local knowledge to win the nearest the pin prizes.

The seniors continued their good form in their social calendar winning away to Minehead, with a delighted Barry Newson taking home the nearest the pin prize.

WESTON Golf Club welcomed over 100 competitors for the Richardson Trophy in fine weather.

Two inches of rain had fallen the day before, but the course recovered remarkably well and was presented in outstanding condition.

Congratulations go to overall winner and Division 2 winner, Mike Dyer on nett 64. Other scores in Division 2 were Brian Dudley (67), winning on the back nine from Alan Harris, Andy Smith followed on 69.

Division 1 winner was Nick Farrant on 66 with Adam Sloan showing some great mid-season form with gross 69, nett 67. In third place was Graham Osman (68), with Liam May fourth with 69.

The men’s team entertained Minehead and won the fixture 5-1.

Weston Golf Week is played the second week in September and daily events are held at Weston and Worlebury, with tee times available in most events throughout the week. To book, go to www.westongolfclub.com

Weston seniors’ captain John Morgan hosted a three-man bowmaker competition in aid of his charity Weston Hospicecare. The event was well supported and brought his contribution to the fund up to £1,000.

The winners with a creditable 93 points were Brian Whiddett, Ray Chambers and Graeme Somerville. In second place on 91 were Nick Bohin, Graham Osman and Derek Cook, with the team Don Evans, David Dodgson and Roy Schubert in third with 90.

The ladies’ Teachers Trophy and Help for Heroes day was played in relatively fine weather, bringing in some fantastic scores resulting in some handicap cuts.

In first place with a nett 64 was Jan Bishop with a comfortable four-shot lead over runner-up Tessa Pitt with 68. Sue Garrett and Sue Osman followed close behind, both on 69 in third and fourth place respectively.

THERE was a strong performance from Wedmore players at this week’s county seniors championship at The Mendip.

Leading the way was Cathy Olive, who had the best nett score of the day to win the Margaret Webber Trophy. Her score of gross 85 was also good enough to put her in third place behind Amanda Mayne of Saltford in the gross championship and to give her first place in the age group prizes.

This was a bit hard on Jane Hewitt from Wedmore, who only lost out on countback for both the overall nett trophy and the age-group prize. With Shirley Gooding finishing fourth in the nett scores, Wedmore achieved three of the top four places in this category.

On the same day back at Wedmore, the Alwyn Hill Trophy was being held. This is a mixed greensomes event with a senior man partnering a lady.

Clear winners this year were Sue Hughes and David Taylor with an impressive 45 points. This put them four clear of runners-up Jenny Thomas and Brian Crosby, with Helen and Mike Tanswell taking third place with 39 points.

The monthly medal saw close finishes in all three men’s divisions. John Wormald held off a strong challenge from Tim Harris to win Division 1 on countback after both scored nett 69s. Pip Nichols was a shot further back in third place.

Best scores of the day were in Division 2, with Kevin Osman recording the best back nine of the day to beat club captain Mike Garbutt on countback, after both recorded 66. John Rowland was third on 70.

Countback was again needed in Division 3 as Evan Newman came from behind to pip seniors captain Jim Crick on countback with both scoring 69. Terry Mogg was third on 70.

Janis Lawrence had the best ladies’ score of the day, 74, to win the division ahead of Val Webber and Dawn Chadwick.