TIM Needham has been appointed head greenkeeper at Worlebury Golf Club.

TIM Needham has recently been appointed head greenkeeper at Worlebury Golf Club.

Tim, aged 35, is a single handicap golfer, at one time playing off one. He comes to Worlebury with a wealth of practical and theoretical qualities, having learned his trade at Chipping Sodbury, Minchinhamton and The Kendleshire golf courses.

Educated to degree level, he lectured at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire for a year, before taking up his current position which became vacant when his predecessor Jaime Acton moved on to pastures new.

Tim said he has been warmly welcomed by all concerned and is excited at the challenges that lie ahead. He believes the course is in great shape and with his small, but committed team, he is looking forward to building on Jaime’s good work.

If you would like to become a member of this friendly, but progressive club, call the managing secretary, Andy Horsburgh, on 01934 625789 or email secretary@worleburygc.co.uk

IT HAS been a great start to January for Andy Fisher at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club.

Firstly, he scored best in the bogey competition with a respectable score of +3, one shot ahead of Philip Worth, Andy Holley and Derek Thomson.

Fisher followed this up the following week with a hole in one at the fifth hole in the first Stableford of the year. Division 1 was won on countback by Martin Dunton with 34 points, ahead of Troy Crandon and Adrian Deakins, a further point back in third.

A countback was also needed in Division 2, with Ian Moreton coming out ahead of Andy Holley and Lewis Norton-Collins, all scoring 33 points.

MIKE Allen produced a stunning nett 61 to win the first seniors medal of 2013 at Brean Golf Club and with it denied captain Tony Roper an overdue victory.

Roper returned a nett 65 and looked for a long while to be heading to his first win in over a year, but Allen in the last group out on the course gazumped him with his spectacular effort.

A cold wind and ice cold blasts of rain greeted the players who braved the conditions to compete in the pair’s aggregate medal. The only player to break par was Matt Haskins, who handed in a nett 69.

Unfortunately for Haskins his partner, Steve Mason, couldn’t quite match that score and his 77 gave them a total of 146 for a third place finish. Runners-up just edging them on countback were the Jones brothers. The winners were captain-elect Brian Read, who returned an excellent score of 70 and was ably backed up by Dave Lockwood with a 75.

The monthly Stableford was blessed with some much better weather. Andy Thomas was the Division 1 winner with a superb best of the day 42 points. Stuart Wills was the runner-up on 38, just ahead of Steve Jones.

Division 2 saw three players top the 40 point mark as Paul McLanaghan, Jerry Brueford and Dave Lockwood all carded 41. After the countback rules were applied, McLanaghan took the win from Brueford with Lockwood taking the third spot.

The lower division players did not find things quite so easy as the rest and Tony Romeo’s card of 33 points was good enough for the victory.

THERE was a return to a full week of competitions at Wedmore Golf Club last week, starting with the seniors’ Stableford.

Scoring proved difficult in wet conditions with 35 points winning Division 1. Mike Munns took third on countback with Steve Lawrence just edging out Tony Glover for top spot by virtue of 16 points over the last six holes.

Best scores of the day were all in Division 2 with Peter Spinks winning on 40, one point ahead of Derek Osborn in second and Mike Peacock in third. James Robertson was clear winner of Division 3 on 38 points, two better than David Dams, who was also two clear of Barry Stone in third place.

The ladies eased back with a 15-hole contest, scores on the best nine holes deciding the outcome. This led to close finishes in both divisions. Liz Hill beat playing partner Liz Miller on countback in Division 1, both scoring 21 points. Ronnie Follenfant was third with 20.

There was an identical result in Division 2, with Esme Gulliver just edging out Hazel Gough on countback, both with 21 points. Desiree McGowan was third with 20.

Conditions were cold, wet and windy for the club Stableford and while many struggled, there were a few remarkably good scores.

Best score of the day was in Division 2 where Chris Norris scored 42 points, seven points clear of Brian Webber in second and Mark Higginbottom who was third. John Wormald took Division 1 with 40 points, with James Brooking-Clark a close second on 39. James Vowles was third with 36.

Martin Blackmore was the third player to break 40 points, winning Division 3 with 41, three points clear of Scott Perry in second, with Tony Wilde a further shot back in 37.

An honourable mention should be made of Janet Lyons and Desiree McGowan, who were the only two ladies to brave the wintry conditions.

Picture shows the first two in this week’s Ladies Competition, Liz Miller and Liz Hill.