Cirencester Golf Club

Men’s Open

A VISITING team from Broome Manor GC left with the top prize at the Cirencester Golf Club's Men's Open.

Torrential rain failed to prevent the Men’s Open going ahead or even overwhelming the course which drained remarkably well.

Considering the wet conditions, the fourball Bowmaker Stableford format (3/4 handicap) with three scores to count produced some excellent scores. The eventual winning "Broome Boys” team of Neil Puffet, Michael Cox, Wes Rawlins and Scott Ward finished well ahead of the rest of the field with a tremendous score of 113 points.

The runners-up with 108 points on countback were the “Wild West" team from Chipping Sodbury GC (Craig Mayoh, A Plummer, M West and M Callaghan) from “Cirencester Stones” led by Peter Stone with his Cirencester GC partners, Nick Brown, Mark Priest and Nicholas Brown.

In fourth place on 104 points was the “Better Than Robbins” team of Minchinhampton’s S Revell/R Speakman and from Cotswold Hills, P Boden/J Murphy.

The longest drive on the fourth was won by Michael Cox (Broome Manor) and nearest the pin on the 18th went to Henley’s Gavin Cameron.

Captain’s Day

ANOTHER soggy day greeted the captain’s annual showcase event.

The cold and wet conditions which often felt like winter, did not deter the enthusiasm of most of the entrants in this year’s event. The last few pairs were, however, defeated by some flooded greens.

The captain Trevor Hing hosted drinks at the Half Way House and although there was plenty of Pimm's, wine and beer/lagers available, hot coffee and tea proved just as popular with the sodden competitors! Cream cheese and salmon bagels were prepared and served by Janice Bruton, Janet Williams and Debbie Stait.

The ladies' captain Jayne Worthington also baked two delicious lemon drizzle cakes. Thanks also go to Debbie Chesworth, Malcolm Bevan along with Dave and Jan Flynn for helping to set up, serve drinks and sell raffle tickets.

First prize in the pairs fourball better ball competition went to Hamish Mason and Darren Robison with 41 points, an excellent score given the weather conditions. Close behind were Tom Waller and Chris Yeates with 40 points.

The ladies' team of Alison Henshaw and Emma Brereton finished third with a very creditable performance, scoring 39 points. Fourth prize was won on 38 points by Callum Flett and Chalmers Phin who narrowly beat Heather Morley and Debbie Mills on countback to take the prize.

Nearest the Pin on the 11th hole was won by Roy Richardson; nearest the pin on the 13th by Heather Morley and on the 18th by Tony Finding. The putting competition was abandoned due to lack of entrants.

After the prize-giving members and their guests enjoyed an indoor BBQ prepared by Gerry and Janice Bruton with help from catering manager Steve Maddock-Lyon.

The captain would like to thank all the members who took part and is grateful to those golf clubs and companies who provided prizes for the charity raffle which raised £574 for the Great Western Air Ambulance.

Cirencester B 3½ Cotswolds Hills B 2½

THE Cirencester B team just managed to continue its winning ways with a home win over local rivals Cotswold Hills.

The match was blessed with the best weather of the weekend.

Team captain Jonathan Wells and David Murray won their match 2&1. David Exton and Stewart Osborn managed to gain a half before Duncan Barnes and Keith Hodgson chipped in with a 3&2 win. Unfortunately, Howard Jones and David Michael finished one down.

This was immediately countered by an excellent 4&3 win by Pete Shepherd and Mike Stopps. In the final match, Andrew Miles and Paul Simmonds conjured up a 3&2 loss.

Junior Girls

THERE was success for Cirencester’s rising star Jess Brown at the Gloucestershire Girls County Junior Championship held at Knowle GC.

In bad weather conditions on this challenging course, Jess finished runner-up in the U14 competition with a gross 91. She also finished runner-up in the U14 Townsend Salver with a net 69. Congratulations and well done Jess.