Emphatic fightback earns place in finale
The most improved player of this season at Bath Approach, Graham Whatley, achieved an unbelievable victory over Mike Fear recovering from four down to reach the KO Cup final. There was no sign of the drama to come as Fear built up a lead of four after ten holes, but suddenly Whatley became unplayable, winning four of the next five holes to square the match with three remaining, before taking the lead for the first time on the final hole for a tremendous victory. Mike Fear spectacularly ended Malcolm French’s Division 1 title hopes with a convincing win that confirmed Terry Selway as this season’s champion. Fear was in superlative form, making a great start by winning the first three holes and swept to the turn five up, on level par. He maintained the same standard, coming back and never letting French get into the match, and won with five holes remaining. With one match to go John Vowles has moved up to within two points of the runner-up spot in Division 2 after his fine win over the determined Tiger Lewis, who kept in close touch all the way. Brian Allen and Dave Ferebee fought hard to secure a very competitive draw, the latter squaring on the 15th and holding out for a point. John Vowles made sure of finishing runner-up in Division 2 after gaining a comprehensive win over his main challenger Colin Gamlin, helped by his best round of the season. Craig Jones achieved his best round of the season thanks to a superb back nine to defeat veteran Dave Ferebee, put to the sword on the second nine. Brian Allen recorded a narrow win over Mike Hazel to achieve a place in the top half of the final table. Meanwhile, Terry Gleeson headed the 13-player stableford field with 37 points, closely followed by Danny Peel on 36. Colin Lee, with 35, was third after countback from George Thurston and Dennis Crombie.
■ BATH GOLF Club
The men’s seniors’ RNLI stableford saw quite the finish with countback deciding the winners in both divisions. The top three in Division 1 remarkably all finished on 39, with Roger Payne handed the prize ahead of Pete Glanville, with Mark Charlesworth third. Division 2 was somewhat simpler, with David Knight pushing only Paul Tucker back after each finished on 36. Third went to Patrick Rogers’ 34. Elsewhere, a mixed individual stableford saw Pete Forster edge out Matt Warman on countback with 38s, as both beat Stephen West’s 36. Steven Murphy carded the jointtop score of the day from Division 2, with 39, besting Mark Daniels (37) and Jonathan Boulton (35). Tim Edgell also hit 39 in Division 3, where he finished one clear of Tom Guilbert with Michael Vincent (32) the next best. There were 42 ladies competing in a par competition, with Michelle Green finishing two-up to win Division 1 from Louise Buxton (oneup). Sam Robinson also ended twoup to win Division 2, with Magdalene Ashman-marr next best on one-down. Sheila Brewis stole the show from Division 3, as she ended three-up, one clear of Sue Mowat at the finish.