Drive In able to go ahead at long last
The Captain’s Installation Bowmaker was held at Lansdown Golf Club on Saturday – a little later this year due to the effect of COVID-19.
Club captain Rod Thomas took office in April but has had to wait until now to celebrate his inauguration with the members. Thomas followed the club’s long tradition with a Charity Drive In – with members entering a sweepstake to guess the length of his drive from the first tee.
This year, two members – Joe Garry and Paul Thorne - correctly guessed the length as 187 yards and shared the small prize. Funds from the drive in will go to the captain’s nominated charity, Dorothy House.
There were two shot-gun start Bowmakers, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Morning winners were Peter Gerry, James Flew and Chris Simpson, with Ed Watson, Ian Wright, Dave Baker and Malcolm Kempster winning in the afternoon.
Earlier in June, the Colmer Cup played over two days - was won by Sam Jenkins with nett 132 which put him 12 clear of Blaine Crooks. The first round was a competition in itself and Jenkins was overall and Division One winner with nett 64 ahead of Steve Maddison and Mark Hand with nett 69.
Crooks took Division Two with nett 67, just one shot ahead of Gordon Beavis with Danny Brine a further two back. Lee Mcloed won Division Three on countback from Ken Wyatt as both came in with nett 71 just a shot clear of Josh Gleghorn.
The seniors’ JJ Evans Plate went to Gordon Beavis with 38 points just one ahead of Alan Murray and Mike Philips. Beavis also won the Seniors’ Invitation event with Es Murray from Bath with 43 points, but only on countback from John Dare and Andy Moody (Henbury). Thomas was third place partnering Mike Knight (Bath) and scored 42 points.
The Seniors Open Texas Scramble was dominated by home teams. Graham Pristo, Ed Watson, Dave Whyte and Ian Carter won ahead of Terry Corbett, Ken Mitchell, Rod Thomas and Dave Lambern. John Butler, Geoff Tovey, Ken Watson and John Dare were third.
The ladies’ Judy Burge Plate was won by Margaret Ruxton with 37 points, two clear of Bev Rees with Di Garry a further shot adrift. The Winifred Bowl has been won this year by Suzanne Wheeler but only on countback from Loraine Liebenberg as both came in with nett 77.
Tom Morris took the honours in the Midweek Stableford with 41 points. Division One went to Andy Pothecary on 38, just one ahead of Dean Faulkner. Robin Pope claimed Division Two on 39, with Paul Lowrie in second. John Stokes took Division Three with 38 from Christian Stefan.
■ BATH GOLF CLUB Last week saw the ladies hold their Captains Day. A field of teams of four played a Bowmaker Stableford with two scores to count - with all four counting on the par threes.
The winners of the Captains Vase with an outstanding score of 101 points were the team of Lesley Matthews, Alison Rushgrove, Heather Cottle and Lorna Howarth. Second with 98 were Lin Fricker, Pippa Western, Lynne Swainston and Carolyn Haldane with Anita Bye, Penny Ross, Marie Robson and Barbara Gibbs third on 94.
Ladies captain Anne Keeling presented the prizes and everyone had an enjoyable day with a fine meal served up by the club staff afterwards.
The seniors also enjoyed their own Captains Charity Day. A Bowmaker Stableford, open to all members, was played and the winners were the team of Michael Howardkynan, Paul Bell, Steve Bailey and Judith Hellyer with a great score of 110. Second with 103 were Mark Charlesworth, John Iles, Peter Norriss and David Bull with Tony Mccallum, Anthony Jones, Helen Oliver and Kevin Campbell third on 102.
Generous sponsors supported the event and some great gifts were received for the raffle. One of the highlights of the day was to see a fabulous buffet spread, laid on by the excellent catering staff enjoyed by all. Senior captain Kim Swithinbank thanked the 22 competing teams and £2,500 was raised towards the nominated charities, the On Course Foundation and Threeways School in Bath.
On Saturday, the men played in the Dening Bowl medal, one of the major club competitions of the year. The winner of Division One was Richard Longhurst with nett 69, one better than James Portman with Tony Mccallum third on countback.
Division Two was won by Grant Organ with nett 71, just ahead of Anthony Jones and Roy Aust on countback. Top of Division Three and the overall winner was Colin Curry with nett 68, just one ahead of Alexander Menezes with Tim Edgell third on 70.
Bath’s first team beat Henbury 2nd 3-2 at home. The second team handed Kendleshire 3rd their first defeat of the season and are now two points behind the leaders of Division Six but have a match in hand.