The Men’s Club Championship was played at Farrington Park over two days. There was a trophy for Club Champion, with the best gross total and a trophy for the best nett score.

The first day was played in a strong breeze and fast fairways made controlling the ball a challenge. On Day One, it was the Adams brothers returning good scores, with Mark returning a total of 76 and Craig, a shot lower on 75. There were also good rounds from Stu Ponfield and Chris Shanks, with totals of 77.

In the Nett Trophy, an excellent round from John Ward, with a nett 70, followed closely by Ashley Swain, with a nett 71.

Day Two arrived with similar conditions to Day One and the battle for the Nett Trophy saw excellent scoring from Danny Farnen, Matt Lefeurve and Ashley Swain, all with nett 70s and a cracking round from Ethan Flanagan with a nett 68.

In the Club Championship, with the wind picking up for the later starters, Chris Shanks matched his score of Day One with a 77, with a better day for Stu Ponfield, with 75 and a great score form Danny Farnen, returning a 73. However, with a terrific round playing in the final group, it was Craig Adams, just returned from the professional ranks, with a great total of 71, who was crowned Farrington Park Men’s Champion 2017, winning by six shots.

Congratulations to Ashley Swain, who took the Nett Trophy. The Men’s Committee would like to thank all players who took part and also many thanks to Andy Grabham and his fellow greenkeepers for an excellent course.

Club Championship Gross Results: 1st Craig Adams, 75&71=146, 2nd Danny Farnen, 79&73=152, 3rd Stuart Ponfield, 77&75=152, 4th Chris Shanks, 77&77=154. Club Championship Nett: 1st Ashley Swain, 71&70=141, 2nd Matt Lefeurve 76&70=146.

Mid-week Stableford – Division One: Jackson Carey, 39 points, Shane Phelps, 36, Adrian Cronin, 35. Division Two: Martin Thatcher 35, Steve Brixey 34, Jeff Hayward 34.

Seniors

The annual playing of the Romaine Tantalus took place on a fine, breezy day although dark rain clouds did their best to disrupt proceedings. With a number of players in good form, scoring was competitive. However, it was left to Barry ‘Half A Lager’ Hall to lift the trophy and claim top spot, with an impressive 43 points.

Results – Division One: Barry Hall 43, Steve Symonds 41, Mike Hedges 40, Neil Morgan 37, David Metcalfe 37. Division Two: Kevin Gould 40, Tony Clement 40, Bill Waddington 39, Philip Michael 38, Bob Earney 38. Division Three: Jim Farmer 41, Rob Porter 39, Richard Collier 39, Dave Taylor 38, Roger Cockhill 37.

Nearest the Pins: 5th Geoff Russell, 8th Mike Woodward, 14th Keith Shepherd, 15th Ray Parker.

Ladies

The sun shone for Farrington Park’s Lady Captain, Pauline Young, who held her Captain’s Day on Thursday, 20th July. Pauline organised an American Greensomes competition, a popular pairs format with the ladies.

Both ladies tee off, then they play each other’s ball, choose the best ball and then play alternate shots. At the half-way hut, the ladies relaxed and indulged in Pimms and lemonade, served by Charles and Peta Romaine. Following the main competition, the ladies then entered a ten-hole putting competition, before sitting down to a light meal. Part of the day’s activities were ‘Guess the lady golfer’ from a child photograph and ‘Guess the weight of the cake’, made by Pauline Brixey and iced by Jo Carter, in the Lady Captain’s Day theme of ‘Dogs and Cats’. All proceeds for the two games and the raffle were in aid of the Lady Captain’s Charity, the RSPCA.

The winners of the golfing skill prizes were – Putting competition, Silver: Lena Warren with twenty putts, Bronze: Jenny Howarth, twenty putts on countback. Nearest the lake on the twelfth: Lin Papadopoullos. Nearest the fourteenth pin in two: Jane Waller. Nearest to fifth Bronze: Jane Waller, nearest the eighth Silver: Sue Stilwell, nearest the tenth Bronze: Lally Gibson and nearest the fifteenth Silver: Lin Papadopoullos. Lady Captain, Pauline, read in reverse order the winners of the American Greensomes. In fifth place, with 35 points on countback were Jackie Walker and Terri O’Shea. In fourth, with 36 points, were Sue Stilwell and Jo Carter. In third place, with 39 points on countback were Fiona Hassard and Tracey Watts. Runners-up, also with 39 points, were Sue Jackson and Laura Fox and the winners, also winning the Ladies Captain’s Spoon trophy, with an astonishing 47 points, were Lally Gibson and Carol King. Lally and Carol’s win follows on from their victory in last week’s competition, proving they are on hot form at the moment. Vice-Captain, Rosi Brown, presented Pauline with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Ladies, saying what a fantastic day it had been, enjoyed by all.

On Saturday, 22nd July, the Farrington Park Ladies pairing of Jackie Walker and Angela Hudd won their third round match against Orchardleigh Ladies at Burnham and Berrow, in the Somerset Centenary Plate. Jackie and Angela will now face Weston-super-Mare Ladies in the Semi-Final at Clevedon.