The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Some 120 players from as far afield as Dorset contested Spalding Golf Club’s Senior Mixed Open competition – but it was a Gedney Hill duo who walked away with the title after a five-way tie at the top.
Other than one heavy rain shower in the middle of the afternoon, the competitors enjoyed a fine day of golf at the Surfleet course with the last few groups finishing in lovely evening sunshine.
Gedney Hill’s Colin and Jaqui Rust emerged as the winners on countback after a super score of 45 points.
Also finishing on the same tally were second-placed Paul and Elaine Barker (Cleethorpes), third-paced Angela Roper and John Camm (Spalding), Elaine Hancock and Dave Halfteck (Spalding) in fourth and Jim Starbuck and Chris Bennett (Gedney Hill), who settled for fifth position.
The nearest the pin prize on the ninth was won by Philipa Smith (Stoke Rochford), while the winners in the 2s sweep were Phil Thorold (Spalding) and Antony Ralton (Sheringham).
Seniors’ captain Mike Gould presented the prizes to conclude a very successful day.
- Nigel Cook saw off 125 other members to win Spalding’s Overton Trophy on 42 points.
Second place went to Roy Blake, who pipped Cliff Harrison on countback after both bagged 41 points.
Thomas Langford and Richard McCrae were fourth and fifth respectively on 39 points.
- Seniors’ section: Match result: Spalding 3 Luffenham 5 (Micheal Gould and John Woods lost 2 down, Peter Bridge and Dennis Farnsworth lost 2 down, Lester Pybus and Neil Wilkinson won by 2 holes, Shaun Gibson and Jim Dobson won 4&3, David Tasker and Ric Edwards 1 down, Monty Brittain and Bernard Herbert lost 2 down, Ron Rolfe and Roger Davey won 6&5, Peter Gooderson and Paddy Goslyn lost 2&1).
Ladies’ section: A host of excellent scores were recorded at Spalding Golf Club’s Ladies’ Invitation Day event – despite play taking place in very blustery conditions on a Surfleet course playing very long after the recent storms.
Top spot went to Elaine Hancock with Gill Lamming on 42 points in the 90 per cent handicap format, with Pat West with guest Jane Crooks (41 points) second and Sue Matthews and guest Sandra Huggins (39 points) back in third.
Nearest to the pin on the ninth hole was Maria Taylor-Vassall, while Anne Edwards won nearest to the pin on the 16th.
Cash prizes were given to ladies who secured birdies. The Spalding ladies were Angela Roper (2) Elaine Hancock, Sue Matthews, Lesley Williams, Pat West (2) and Debra Ward. Visitors were Gill Lamming (2) Chris Rowley and Jane Crooks.
- Some 21 ladies ventured out for the Measures Vase Cup in dreadful weather – heavy intermittent rain and strong winds – but some good scores were recorded.
The winner was Paula Brown (37 points) as she earned handicap reduction from 18 to 17. Jacquie Clare (36 points) was second ahead of Gill Dewhurst – who edged Elaine Harrison on countback.
Both finished on 34 points.
