Reynolds par 4 hole in one helps Freshwater to Alliance Shield victory.

FRESHWATER BAY GOLF CLUB – ALLIANCE SUNDAY 7^th OCTOBER

Freshwater Bay Golf Club played host to the final 36 hole event of the Alliance year played in benign conditions with the course and greens in particular in fine condition. The winners in each competition are awarded points Formula One style throughout the year with the Alliance Shield presented to the Club amassing the most points over the whole year. Going into the final round Shanklin had a ten point lead over holders Freshwater with a total of 32 points available on the day

The morning event was the Fowler Cup a greensome medal won with the impressive score of nett 58 by Freshwater pair Pete Reynolds and Ant Roper. Shot of the day must go to Pete who holed his tee shot at the 273 yard par 4 16^th. Three pairs tied on 62 with Andy Hallam and Matt Williams of Osborne coming second on count back followed by Steve Burke and Brian Wells of Ventnor then Freshwater pair Simon Fisher and Dick Leppard. The quality of the scoring was such that three more pairs were tied with nett 63. This meant that Shanklin’s lead had been cut to only 2 points with all to play for after lunch.

The afternoon event was the much tougher foursome medal format with the early pace being set at 70 carded by morning winners Reynolds and Roper along with another Freshwater pairing of Miles Oldershaw and Jim Whitehead, closely followed by Shanklin pair Roy Truman and Steph Brochocki on 71.5 keeping the Shanklin’s hope of winning the shield well and truly alive until the final few groups. Osborne pairing of Darren Masterton and Brian Yelland eventually took third place with a 69 but the West Wight Foursomes Trophy went to Osborne pair of Pete Wright and Ian Taylor with an excellent score of 66.5 especially when you consider they finished last in the easier morning event! Last pair out John Burke and Danny Holmes of Freshwater fired in a nett 68 for second place and to steal the Shield from Shanklin’s grasp at the eleventh hour, quite a feat when you consider they had never played together before

Final shield points were Freshwater 56, Shanklin 51 and Osborne third on 33. In the presentation speeches particular mention was made of the fine weather, the impressive condition of the Freshwater course and the ever present organisation skills of Vic Treadwell who masterminds the entire year from entries to results.