Thousands raised by skipper’s special day
Lansdown Golf club captain John Butler held a successful charity Day and raised a fantastic £7,500, to be shared by children’s hospice South West and clic Sargent. A total of 34 bowmaker teams of four took part in the event which had sponsorship from Bryant Associates, Humphrey’s Solicitors, Sprint Print and Great Western Brewery. There were prizes for the top six teams, who could only be separated by one point – the winning team with 88 points was Dan and Gavin Palomeque together with Curtis Silcox and James Ledger from The Kendleshire. But that was only on countback from the Lansdown foursome of Bill Rose, Phil Hill, Dave Newport and Danny Sacco. Four teams were just one point back with 87 points. Third place went to Fred and Steve Hulcoop partnering Bob Tregunna and Neil Pirie, while captain elect, Mike Burt, playing with Paddy Crowley, Michael Cox and Steve Jones took fourth. Butler was delighted and surprised to have raised so much for the charities and thanked everyone who had helped and taken part in the day. Earlier this month the honours in the Elms Trophy, a greensome medal, went to Pirie and Fred Hulcoop with a nett 66.8 with Michael Kempster and Harry Harris taking second place with a nett 68. The Frieda Bowl, with the best two scores to count from three consecutive rounds, has been won by Margaret Ruxton as her aggregate 138 put her two shots clear of runner-up Sue Fereday. The final round winner was Jane Belsten with a nett 76. Two of Lansdown’s ladies, Jo Francis-pope and Clare Mornement, played in the English Trust National Pairs Tournament at Kings Heath and came in third with 42 points. Earlier in the month, the midweek stableford went to Dominic Elmieh with 39 points. Honours in Division 1 were claimed by Graham Morrice, but only on countback from Rory Kirkham and David Stevenson as all three scored 37. Cameron Stevenson (36) took Division 2 on countback from Tony Clark with Barry Norris on 35. Jack Belsher’s 38 took second in Division 3 behind Elmieh with Stephen Pursey a further shot adrift. ■ Bath approach Mike Fear completed the course in just one over par to take him past Brian Woodford and into the League Cup final. Woodford played extremely well on the front nine to lead by one at the turn and he went further ahead at the start of the back nine. He was still leading by two with five holes remaining but Fear’s sublime finish, two birdies and three pars, took him to a magnificent victory on the 17th. Malcolm French skilfully reached the KO Cup quarter-finals after achieving a convincing win over Tiger Lewis, who had no answer to French’s superb back nine holes. Colin Lee ensured his Division 1 status for next season with a convincing win over the courageous Alasdair Campbell, who has proved very hard to beat and has avoided relegation. Terry Selway brilliantly won his final match of the season against George Thurston to go one point clear at the top, but needs some help to stay there for his maiden title. Elsewhere, Terry Gleeson produced his best round of the season in his final league match to eclipse the formidable Sue Norris and end just two points below the leader. In Division 2, Brian Lambern moved away from the bottom of the table with a hard fought win over Dave Ferebee, who nearly snatched a point at the last gasp. Dave Ferebee’s consistent play helped him to a comfortable win over Ann Fear and her remarkable season. Fear took an early lead but from then on Ferebee took control reaching the turn one up and then steadily increasing his lead until he reached four up with three holes remaining. In a keen contest, Craig Jones outlasted top-of-the-table Ingrid Doherty to put himself on the fringes of promotion, but left Doherty vulnerable in her quest for the title. Colin Gamlin moved into serious contention for the title after securing a tough win over veteran Dennis Crombie, while John Vowles is rapidly closing in on the front-runners with his convincing win over Graham Whatley, making him one of the favourites for promotion.