Williams keeps his cool

GOLF

LONG- serving Canterbury member David Williams could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel when he failed to score at the first hole of the February Greensome, writes NEIL WEBBER .

Arriving on the 10th tee with seconds to spare and pulling a new driver from his bag, the former steel worker struggled to recover after his opening shot drifted just off the fairway and settled in the semi-rough.

But the unflappable Williams steadily repaired the damage with some solid driving and precise iron play and by the turn, he had accumulated 19 points.

The experienced 50-year-old from St Stephen’s, who has been playing golf since the age of seven, then launched his second nine with a splendid birdie four at the first.

Four subsequent pars helped to earn him a total of 41 points, one more than nine-handicap Paul Stewart, who carded a birdie and 11 pars. Third, with 39 points, was 21-handicap Kenny Small.

Twelve-handicap Sid Powell dropped only five shots in winning the first of Canterbury’s February Seniors Stableford competitions.

Three birdies and eight pars swept the 74- year- old local painter and decorator to 43 points, one better than captainelect of the Seniors’ Section, 18-handicap Colin Dawson.

FRAN FEARN led the way in Canterbury GC Ladies’ February Stableford Division 1, carding 35 points, playing off 14, with Val Binns (h11) a point back in second.

Five- handicapper Alison Kingston was third on countback with 32 points ahead of Jacklyn Barons (h22) in fourth with Wendy French (h20) fifth.

Sarah Wetherell continued her fine form in her second season in the sport, topping Division 2 with 32 points, playing off 36.

Sue Allan (h28) was two back in second, with 25-handicapper Gillian Bailey in third with 27 points, Christine Bowles (h35) fourth and Rhona Hunter fifth (h27).

Binns continued her fine form with victory in Division 1 of the Ladies Aggregate January Competition.

The 11-handicapper saw off Jacqueline Mount, who plays off 12, by a single point after recording a score of 37.

Gillian Soutar ( h13) was third with 34 points and 15-handicapper Fearn was a point back in fourth with Annie McLaren (h23) fifth.

Newcomer Chris Gurney recorded her first win in Division 2, scoring 32 points playing off 36.

Anne Ghazi ( h28) was second, two points back, with 27- handicapper Josephine Murphy in third with 30 points.

Michelle Gurung (h36) was fourth with 28 points and Bailey (h25) a point further back.

FAVERSHAM Golf Club are celebrating winning a prestigious award recognising their quality of service to members and visitors.

The Belmont Park club was named Golf Yearbook Online’s South East Society Golf Club of the Year for 2012.

Manager Paul Smith said: “Achieving this award demonstrates the importance we place on the level of service provided to our visitors and members.” For more information about the club, visit www. favershamgolf.co.uk

CALM FIGURE: David Williams