SPORT STARTS HERE SEVENTEEN HANDICAPPER HOLDS OFF CHALLENGE TO CAPTURE CHRISTMAS COMPETITION Atkinson lands Stableford Golf round-up

Kim Atkinson (h17) headed Division 1 in Canterbury Ladies’ Christmas 12-hole Stableford.

She carded 22 points, two more than runner-up Beverley Mcneil (h20) with Ann Lake (h18) edging out Diane Florence (h19) for third on countback. Both ladies returned 17 points.

Charlotte Launois (h22) was a convincing winner in Division 2, collecting 24 points to finish seven clear of Angela Le Breton (h27), Valerie Lucas (h22) and Annie Mclaren ( h27), who finished in that order.

Anne Arnold (h22) and Lesley Pearson (h27) both closed on 16.

Division 3 was won by 31-handicapper Sue Jones whose 23-point haul put her five clear of runner-up Dorothy LloydHughes (h29).

Pat Askham (h30) was third on 14 points, one more than Elizabeth Carlotti (h31) and Sandra Wigg (h36).

Forty five ladies played in the last mid-week competition of the year on a glorious but cold winter’s morning.

A Christmas lunch followed with 55 ladies attending, enjoying a jovial atmosphere, exchanging secret Santas and appreciating a roast turkey lunch.

The weekend Christmas Stableford was meant to be played as a seven- club competition over 18 holes but due to the cold and wet conditions on Saturday was cut to 12 holes.

Ten ladies braved the freezing conditions and enjoyed their Christmas meal following the competition. Three golfers scored 20 points with newcomer Carol Bye winning from Claire Wilson and Gillian Soutar on countback. Jacqueline Mount (h12) shot a net 73 to finish one clear in the weekend December medal.

Runner-up was Claire Wilson (25), with Elizabeth Berry (h15) pipping Val Binns (h10) to third spot on countback after both golfers had closed on 79. n With all their competitions for 2018 completed, St Stephen’s GS’S Chestfield Society day was all about celebrating a fantastic year for the club.

Skipper Karl Robson’s last official duty was to put together a fun event which in this case was a Stableford competition with a ball carry bonus for each hole using the original ball.

The winner was novice golfer and new member Simon Fowler, with Royston Gough second and Nigel Stevenson third.

Spot prizes were won by Mike Barham (nearest the pin 1) Steve Hughes (nearest the pin 2) and Alex Mcbeth (nearest the pin approach shot). Presentations were also made to Nigel Stevenson, most points scored 2018, and Karl Robson, best of seven highest average.

Outgoing skipper Robson was also presented with a golf statuette.