22nd June 2011

LYME REGIS GOLF: All smiles at Seniors open day

SENIORS OPEN DAY

Following the successful completion of the Club Golf weeks, and with some indifferent weather forecast hopes, were not high for a satisfactory outcome for the first of the two summer Seniors Open Events writes Steve Percival.

However, pessimism was not rewarded and the day was an outstanding success both in numbers taking part and in the results achieved.

Not only was the event fully subscribed it was in fact oversubscribed with visiting players and there were no spaces available for members of the host club.

With prizes on offer for a better ball competition, two nearest the pins , the best back nine, the best front nine and for the “nearest the line” on the 18th competition was closely fought for the honours.

Also, with a number of players who had taken part in the golf week returning to play, recent “local knowledge” was to prove key in a number of the competitions.

In the team better ball event local pairing of Terry Kearley and Mike Brake from Bridport took the honours with a very creditable 44 points over the pair of Chester Barnes and Chris Coles from Churston Golf Club, returning from successful participation in the golf week,with 43 points.

Nearest the pin on the 8th was Mike Upham from Henbury Golf Club whilst Terry Virgo from Exeter Golf & Country club took the honours on the 13th.

The best back nine was recorded by the pairing of Rees and Bristow from the Mendip club. Honours on the front nine went to Surrier and Jackson from the Mendip Club.

Mindful of the shorter distances achieved by senior players from the tee the “nearest the line” competition was based on the proximity of the ball played from the tee to a line 10 metres in length down the centre of the fairway some 175 metres from the 18th tee.

Inevitably the longer hitters overshot the mark by some distance but with direction from the tee proving paramount the honours went to John Pulman from East Devon Golf Club.

All in all the day was an outstanding success and congratulations are very much due to Ted Baker and his team of helpers for the smooth running of the event.

SENIORS JUNE STABLEFORD

With the continued improvement in the weather from that of the preceeding weekend looking doubtful a field of 80 senior players assembled to contest the monthly stableford competition on Monday, June 20th.

Whilst the weather held good for the early starters, those starting in the early afternoon not only suffered the onset of the forecast rain but also had to abandon their rounds after only a few holes due the arrival of the typical Lyme Regis fog.

For those who did complete their rounds the conditions were in the main good with greens running true but with the residual moisture from the overnight rain reducing the run on the fairways.

There were, however, some outstanding scores. In division one Brian Ridley produced yet another outstanding round to gain first place with 40 points over Brian Clarke with 37.

In third place on countback was Peter Hardisty. Division two featured an exceptional round of 46 points by Philip Pardoe- Williams with Graham Winter producing another steady round to score 39 points in second place. Third was Peter Williams with 37 points.

Lyme Regis Ladies by Ellie Langford

Lyme Regis Ladies achieved success in the County Interclub Foursomes held at Broadstone Golf Club on the 13th and 14th of June.

Three teams were entered, a Bronze pair, a Silver pair and a Scratch pair. The Scratch pair, Jane Southcombe and Melissa Mahon brought home the Trophy after winning 5/4 against Dudsbury. Lyme Regis last won the competition in 1999 so many congratulations to the winning pair. Our Silver team was also in the final but unfortunately lost to Knighton Heath.

There was a strong wind and heavy showers when the ladies played their Centenary Cocktail last Thursday. The competition comprised of six holes each of four ball better ball, Greensomes and Foursomes.

Results: 1st: Jane Southcombe & Jenny Scott 38pts. 2nd: Linda Bass & Hanna Jacobsen 37pts ocb. 3rd Ellie Langford & Flicity Poole 37pts.