WITH the glorious sunshine continuing, Mendip Golf Club’s playing conditions could not be better, bearing in mind it is still only April.

Meanwhile, 109 men played in the Weekend Stableford. Div 3 was won by John Hartley with 38 points with Richard Clifford 2nd with 37 after count back from Mike Woodward. Div 2 went to Lee Calllow with 38 on count back from Adrian Cross with Clayton Merrett 3rd with 36 after count back. Div 1 was won by Ryan Sainsbury with 36, Charles Pike was 2nd with 35 and Jack Cook was 3rd with 34 after count back.

Forty-four Ladies played in the Waltzing Matilda event. Clear winners with 84 points were Edwina Willis/Diane Stanton/Penny Oliver/Lynne Vowles. In 2nd place with 76 were Caroline Lawes/Isobel Panton/Jane Ball/Linda Papadopoullos. 3rd with 75 were Marian Speed/Gina Howard/Fran Davies/Rosemary Brown.

One of Mendip’s Juniors, Libbie Dezis, playing off a course handicap of 5 at The Kendleshire Club in Bristol, had a brilliant win in the Avon Schools Championships Mixed Gender event. Playing against 119 other competitors, Libbie came out on top with a 1 under par gross 69, beating into 2nd place a +4 boy competitor. Well done Libbie on an outstanding achievement.

Mendip Seniors met their second defeat of the season when visiting Saltford, 1½ - 5½. There was an excellent win from Rob Richardson playing with the in form Derek Bellew and a splendid half from Ian Vincent and John Scott.

Some 116 seniors played in the season’s first qualifying event. Div 1 went to Steve Davis with 38 points with Richard White 2nd with 35 and Alan Roper 3rd with 34 after count back. Div 2 saw a win for Steven Ball with 40, Phil Bendall was 2nd with 39 and Alan O’Leary was 3rd with 38. Div 3 was won by Chris Bennett with 39, David Pilbeam was 2nd with 37 after count back from Geoff Tucker. However the overall winner was Gareth Collier with a fine 42 points.

This year’s Mendip Seniors captain is Paul Wood who, on moving to the area, joined Mendip in 2007. Paul, who plays off 15, has a golf playing wife Lizzie who joined the club last year. His chosen charity is Parkinson’s UK.

Tony Williams