o’mara survives in sudden death trio
a thrilling finale ensured the Club Championship was a great success at Bath Golf Club. There were 92 starters on Saturday and 72 returned to play the 2nd round on Sunday in perfect weather, the course featuring parched fairways and fast greens. There was a very exciting finish in a three-way tie on 153 points, which went to a four-hole sudden death play-off, Liam O’mara the eventual winner. Also involved in the play-off were George Matthews, who finished second, and Andrew Cottle, with Kieran Bye (154) and Troy Scott next best. Best nett score and winner of the presidents Cup was Olly Williamson, who shot a fantastic nett 128, with a 60-11 under par in round 1 and nett 6803 under par in round 2. Over 50 people stayed on Sunday for the presentation and many watched the play-off and cheered O’mara home, with club captain Linda Hill presenting the prizes among a great atmosphere. Fidelius’ sponsorship allowed bath to provide a much needed bottle of water each on Saturday and offer a free burger at the presentation afterwards on Sunday. Last Sunday Bath’s ladies and men competed in the Becks Cup, the most prestigious event of the Sunday Mixed calendar. The two trophies were originally donated in 1975 by two former captains of the Club, Roy and Mary Beck, and an excellent field of 34 couples set out with the intention of adding their names to the long list of previous winners. Just missing out on the prizes with fine scores of 38 points were Alison and Dave Rushgrove, and Rosemary and Maurice Paterson. Anita and Nick Bye’s 39 claimed fourth, losing out on the back nine countback to Jacky and Simon Brown. Ahead of them in second place with a strong 41 were Heather and Graham Cottle. However new members Katy and Richard Pool have clearly now learned how to play the course as they took first with a formidable 42. ■ Bath approach Sue Norris produced a superb round that gave her a splendid win over current Division 1 champion Mike Fear, whose gross score was only three over par. Norris made an exceptional start, outplaying Fear to win the first three holes but the composed Fear went into top gear, completing the next 11 in two under par with two birdies reducing his deficit to a single hole by the turn. On the back nine his fine play helped him edge ahead with two holes remaining, only for Norris to battle back to all square on the 17th and then win the match on the final hole, where Fear failed to get a hole in one to save the game. Terry Gleeson paved the way to victory over Danny Peel with a well crafted front nine performance that gave him a large lead. Malcolm French kept in touch with the title chasers after a convincing victory over the ailing Dave Peacey, unable to match French’s scintillating play. Colin Gamlin is now playing extremely well after his enforced break, but he needed all his skill to overcome a spirited Ann Fear, who fought all the way and finished four under net par in their Division 2 clash. Dave Ferebee secured an impressive win over league leader Ingrid Doherty, defeated for only the second time this season. John Sercombe kept a foot in the promotion zone with an excellent performance that helped him achieve a narrow win over the valiantly battling Mike Hazel. Brian Woodford took time off from the title chase to reach the League Cup semi-finals at the expense of an out of touch George Thurston. It was a close contest on the front nine until Woodford took command by winning the final two holes of the half, and then comfortably maintained his advantage on the back nine to go through with two holes remaining. Brian Allen finally won through to the Plate semi-finals after a tremendous confrontation with the stubborn Brian Lambern, who eventually lost out on the final hole. Reg Morris had to make a late second nine recovery to overcome the resolute Craig Jones and join Woodford in the final four. ■ Lansdown Club professional James Lee held his day at the club with a four team bowmaker. The winning team with 102 points was Ian Carter with Dave Whyte, Steve Pearce and Neil Hazel, five clear of the field. In second place on countback was the team of Ken Watson, Neil Pirie, Fred Hulcoop and, club captain, John Butler (97) from the quartet of John Court, Mal Kempster, Tom Brooks and Paddy Crowley. There was an opportunity to double your money on the eighth by putting your drive on the green – only ten out of 110 players managed to do it. The Loving Cup was a tight affair as the first four teams came in with 39 points. The Cup was lifted by Di and Joe Garry with second place going to Jo Francis-pope and Ian Carter, while Sue and David Fereday came third. The latest midweek stableford was won by Giles Carre’s 41 - but only on countback from Robin Pope. Mark Cooper took Division 1 with 39, just one and two points ahead of Andy Lee and Roland Jenkins. Tony Clark took second place behind Carre in Division 2, but only on countback from Harry Harris as both shot 39 points. Behind Pope in Division Three was Stephen Pursey and Roy Mccullough as they also scored 39. In the senior’s section, Rod Thomas took the honours in the Chic Ward Trophy with 35 points, which put him just one ahead of Paul Lowrie and Mike Wise, with Tim Rickard two further adrift. On the same day the bowmaker event was won by Thomas, partnering Dave Pike and Bob Webber with 80 points, some five clear of Wise, Paul Patten and Chris Lewis. Third place was claimed by Andy Platt, Paul Maidment and Lester Ferguson on 73.