Stemp is stamping his mark at Heath
It's a tough challenge to play 18 holes of matchplay against an opponent who never fails to make par.
B ut Kevin Stemp made it look pretty straightforward at Mannings Heath on Saturday as he finished five up against the course to claim the Hill Challenge Cup.
Stemp, playing off 21, was always ahead after the fourth and was one of only four players to beat the Waterfall but it was runner-up Neil Belcher who produced the shot of the day by holing his tee shot on the 14th before closing at +3. Darren Hanison was third at +2.
Richard Tullett made good use of his 30 handicap to sweep the board with 45 points in Sunday's club S tableford. There was a second ace of the weekend for the competition runner-up, Lewis Westlake this time, who holed his tee shot on the 10th on his way to 41 points with Alex Harman a point behind in third place.
Only countback could separate the top two in the ladies' Bob Collins Cup, Sybille Shababi coming home with 21 points to pip Mina Burton after both signed for 36 with Julia Hoskins third a point behind. And in the annual seniors' better-ball tussle between North and South a 4-4 draw enabled the southerners to retain the trophy.
Heath's men's teams had mixed fortunes in county inter-club competitions. Their handicap squad achieved a battling 3-2 away win at East Brighton in the Birchwood Trophy.
Skipper Kevin Dixon and partner Luke Higham won 3& 1 and Steven Pye and Paul Greenhead also came out on top but it was two halved matches that proved crucial with Ben Perry and Chris Whitter finishing all square and Lorcan Conneely and John Badillo coming back from four down to do likewise.
A trip to Goodwood proved a journey too far for Heath's seniors in the Cyril Blake Foursomes, captain John Gleaves and Kevin Swales securing the only victory in a 3-1 defeat . But a much more frustrating 'loss' came in the Wellesley Wealth scratch trophy when so many players were unavailable that Heath were forced to reluctantly concede their second round tie at Eastbourne Downs.