Local golf team takes a step towards promotion (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Local golf team takes a step towards promotion

THE Cirencester A team took another step towards promotion to the First Division of the North Glos Foursomes League on Saturday by halving the match to secure a point away at Cotswold Edge.

After six holes, five of the six Cirencester pairs were in front but the undulating back nine, which is cut through the woods, proved to be a distinct advantage to the home team.

Sam Tanner and Alex Hobson reached the turn one up but finished loosing three and two, while Trevor Hing and Duncan Barnes, against the strong pairing of Kenny Hibbitt - the former Wolves footballer - and Ken Fryer, put up a gallant resistance but finally lost four and three.

After being three up early on, Hamish Mason and Pete Stone could not match their young opponents and finished loosing two and one.

Mark Priest and Tony Henshaw finished their match on the 15th to win four and three. Team captain Adam Collins and Darren Robison also won four and three.

All eyes were now on the match of Tom Stone and Richard Louisson, now dormy two up but they lost the 17th to a birdie three which sent the match to the final hole and more drama.

With Cotswold Edge not in a good position off the tee, Richard Louisson hit a huge slice into the woods on the right of the fairway, things looked bad as Cirencester needed to win this game to half the match and secure an important league point.

Tom Stone miraculously found a way through the woods and put the ball back on the fairway. The hole was eventually halved, giving Tom and Richard a win one hole up.

The Cirencester Juniors' Open, incorporating the Daily Telegraph Trophy, was this year won by a visiting Frenchman.

The grandparents of victory Julian Ferbo, who is a member of the Nice Golf Club in France, are members of Tewkesbury GC and they entered him to play whilst he is here on holiday with them.

In the event, held on August 5, Ferbo won the Best Net with a resounding score of 59 off a 27 handicap.

This was a pleasant surprise and capped a glorious day when some 55 entrants played in some of the best weather enjoyed this year.

Entrants from 20 different clubs competed and, although many found the going hard with fast running greens, the scores showed the quality of golf being played by juniors in this area. Results are as follows:

Girls: Best gross Charlotte Ellis (gross 81), runner-up Josephine Candy (gross 89). Best Net Clare Reynolds 68 (gross 93), r/up Jackie Frankham 72 (gross 92).

Boys: Best Gross Chris O'Hagen 73 (won on countback), r/up Mike Wilson 73. Best Net Julian Ferbo 59 (gross 86), r/up Sam Holcombe 63 (gross 83), 3rd Neil Rollins 64 (gross 76) countback, 4th James Wright 64 (gross 88) countback.

Longest drives on the fourth and 14th where won convincingly by Ben Newman and Mike Wilson respectively while the Nearest Pin prizes for holes 11 an 18 went to Julian Ferbo and Charlotte Ellis.

After the tournament and before the prizegiving commenced, competitors enjoyed matching their skills on the putting green and Michael Stradling succeeded in winning the Putter prize by completing the nine-hole course in only 14 puts.

Witnessed by proud mums and dads, club captain Gordon Robbins, presented the prizes to competitors. A big thanks goes to all Cirencester members who helped on the day.

At the end of July, a stableford competition was held the best six scores to qualify for the Kitkat County final to be held at Shirehampton in September.

Despite hot weather and a stiff breeze, there were some excellent scores returned. Qualifiers were A Fisher, S Marsh, R Ewer, I Winslow, J Biles and B Grimwade.

In good conditions on July 24, a medal was held with 53 entries. Silver Division winner was K Fullerton with 82-16 nett 66 and runner-up D Organ 82-13 nett 69.

Bronze Division: J Muner 100-33 nett 67, runner-up G Harvey 107-33 nett 69. Six ladies reduced their handicaps.

The August medal competition was held on July 31 and August 1 for the working ladies.

Thursday saw early rain, and for the Sunday players it was an extremely hot. Results as follows:

Silver Division winner: S Hadley 79-10 nett 69; r/up L Finding 87-15-72. Bronze: J Berens 92-27-65; r/up J Cloughton 89-21-68.

Results of three Alliance matches are as follows: B Team home to Stinchcombe - six wins, two losses and a half gaining 13.5 points.

A Team away to Cotswold Hills (2). The top five players won while the last four lost. Score 10-8 to Cirencester.

August 4 was one of the hottest days of the year when the A Team entertained Tewkesbury. Results: seven wins, one halved and a loss gave Cirencester a 15-3 victory.

One of the most important days of the year, the Ladies' Open Day, was held on the August 7.

In extremely hot weather, there were fewer entries which was probably due to the change from the usual date.

Nonetheless, 23 clubs were represented with some good scores returned on a course in immaculate condition. Drinks at the new half-way house were much appreciated.

Cirencester ladies' secretary Margaret Davey (past lady captain) had a field day and swept the board by winning the Lady Apsley Trophy (best nett score overall) and the W S Morrison Trophy (best nett score Cirencester lady) with an excellent score of 84-20 nett 64.

The Hamill Cup (best gross score Cirencester lady) was won by S Telling Gross 82.

Other winners were: Open Scratch Cup Gaye Pope (Cotswold Hills) Gross 82 on back nine from S Telling Second Gross Silver Division G Cooper (Burford) 82 on back nine.

First Gross Bronze division P Taylor Gross 92 on back nine from M Woodbridge (Kings-down) First nett Silver Division M Davey, second nett K Alger (Lilleybrook) 85-18 nett 67.

First nett Bronze Division W Woodward 94-23 nett 71, second Mae Myler (Ogbourne) 94-22 nett 72. A stableford consolation Silver Division was won by J Braithwaite (The Vale) 38pts, second D Honey (Ross) 37, The Bronze Division was won B Straughan (Minchinhampton) 36 and N Franklin 34 was the r/up.