Bob's Report
Dear Member,
KO BLOW FOR SCRATCH TEAM AFTER BATTLING DRAW
What a disappointment ! Our scratch team earned a battling 6-6 draw with last year’s finalists Copthorne in the second round of the Optimus Trophy on Saturday only to be knocked out by the rule that sees the visitors progress if scores are level.
Both teams produced some sparkling golf despite the blustery wind and heavy showers, none more so than our oldest and youngest players, Richard Burton and Tom Thurloway, who teamed up to earn our only point in the morning foursomes and then each won their afternoon singles. Our two other juniors, Luke Bennett and Elliot Webster, were also victorious after lunch together with club champion Andy Main while Aaron Peacock almost secured the all-important half but was beaten by just one hole. It was a great effort by our lads though against a team with lower overall handicaps and should give us some confidence for the Plate competition in which we host Hollingbury on 1st June. Why not come along and lend your support ? The quality of golf in these inter-club scratch events is always impressive.
A very busy week at the club began on Thursday with the Ladies’ spring meeting. Nikki Purton beat the gales and a strong field to claim the Silver Division scratch prize for the seventh time but only on a count-back over the last six holes from Gilly Ewers who carded the same total, 84. Gilly did have the consolation of winning the nett competition though, also on count-back, her nett 73 just shading Sandra Roberts with Joy Reineck and Mina Burton a shot behind.
Outstanding round of the day came from Bronze scratch winner Margaret Edwards who carded five pars and a birdie for an 88 gross that saw her twenty-one handicap trimmed by two shots. Pat Griffiths led the Bronze nett scorers with 73 to beat Mary Grange by three and Carole Bauckham by five.
The afternoon greensomes competition over nine holes on Kingfisher was won convincingly by Nikki Purton and Mary Grange with 23 points.
In the weekend Men’s Saturday stableford Chris Mcgrath rattled in ten pars to head Division One with 38 points while Neil Brown won Division Two with 39 on count-back from Paul Roberts. Richard Rossiter and Sam Dolby were the Sunday winners with 39 and 42 respectively.
Bill Hill’s nett 68 off twenty put him two clear of Paul Holmes in the Seniors’ medal on Monday with the latter carding the best gross, 77,and further consolidating his Order of Merit lead. Mike Hart took third place on count-back with nett 71.
Later that day another eight of our over-55s hosted Highwoods in the Cyril Blake Foursomes and went down 3-1. We had to give shots in three of the matches and that proved tough in a strong wind against some very steady golfers who made few mistakes. Well done though to Richard Burton and Mike Peacock and to Steve Wild and Geoff Lodge who both secured halves.
Mannings Heath Results
Here are some results on how our Mannings Heath Members have done lately. It is great to see such great golf being played so early in the season.
Ladies’ Spring Meeting
Silver Division scratch winner – Nikki Purton, 84; Bronze Division scratch winner – Margaret Edwards – 88.
Silver Division Nett : 1st Gilly Ewers 84 – 11 = 73; 2nd Sandra Roberts 91-18 = 73; 3rd Joy Reineck 94 – 20 = 74.
Bronze Division Nett : 1st Pat Griffiths 100 – 27 = 73; 2nd Mary Grange 105 – 29 = 76; 3rd Carole Bauckham 102 – 24 = 78.
Greensomes (9 holes, Kingfisher) : 1st Nikki Purton and Mary Grange – 23 points; Jen Cole and Tricia Robson – 18 points; 3rd Joan Mahoney and Gill Redston – 18 points.
Men’s Stableford (Saturday)
Division One : 1st Chris Mcgrath (12) – 38 points; 2nd Carl Bettell (7) – 37 points; 3rd Tom Brown (10) – 36 points.
Division Two ; 1st Neil Brown (16) – 39 points; 2nd Paul Roberts (15) – 39 points; 3rd Rene Ventura (14) – 37 points.
Men’s Stableford (Sunday)
Division One : 1st Richard Rossiter (11) – 39 points; 2nd Bob Marksman (6) - 38 points; 3rd Aaron Fuller (9) – 36 points.
Division Two : 1st Sam Dolby (28) – 42 points; 2nd Nigel Manvell (16) – 38 points; 3rd Kevin Frost (24) – 36 points
Seniors’ Medal : 1st Bill Hill 88 – 20 = 68; 2nd Paul Holmes 77 – 7 = 70; 3rd Mike Hart 83 – 12 = 71.
Optimus Trophy: Mannings Heath 6 Copthorne 6 (Copthorne win as away team)
Cyril Blake Foursomes : Mannings Heath 1 Highwoods 3
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Bob