Juniors get half term off to flying start

To start the school half term week Freshwater Bay Golf Club held a Junior Stableford in which the top three players all reduced their handicaps, first place went to Ryan Harmer playing off 17 returning 40 points and beating Connor White (30) on count back, with Steven Cooke (12) picking up third place carding 38 points.

Wednesday 18th February saw a Better Ball Stableford convincingly won by Peter Scott and John Herbert with an excellent 45 points, Colin Thompson and Frank Ing finished second with 43 points and Andy Rann and James Brett took third place with 41 holding off two pairs on count back, neither Chris West and Tony Keen nor Brian Whelan and Roger Pitcher could match the new boys 23 back nine.

A lighthearted South African Two Ball Stableford was played on the Saturday open to all combinations of members with Past Captain Bill Hinchen partnering promising Junior Lady Sammi Keen to an outstanding 92 points a massive 14 points clear of their nearest rivals. Geoff Smith and Chris West returned a creditable 78 points only to be beaten on the back nine for second place by Kevin Garrett and Kevin McArthur. For those of you who have never had the dubious honour of playing a South African before you simply multiply the points you score on a hole by that of your partners, hence two nett pars would be 2 x 2 = 4 points. However this game is not to be taken too seriously as can be vouched for by Club Captain Barry Hunter who’s playing partner didn’t score a point for the first six holes and so negated any points Barry scored as well! Best ladies pair was Jan Smith and Barry’s wife Elaine finishing in 9th place out the fifty entries.

Sunday reverted to a normal Stableford with five players breaking the 40 point barrier, four of which were in Division One with Simon Fisher (14) taking pole position on 41 points ahead of Ian Bal (15) in second, Derek Wright (3) and Colin Thompson (15) in third and fourth respectively with all three players carding 40 points. Division Two was won with 41 points again this time from 19 handicap David Hartley, Cris Keith also off 19 beat James Brett (18) on the back nine to take second place with both players returning 39 points. Chris Boulter (18) finished in fourth on 37 points holding off Richard Couse, Geoff Smith and Ray Cooke on count back.

The scores from the Sunday competition take the Warren Cup into its final month with Gary Cooke retaining the lead on 227, closely followed by Richard Couse and Gary’s son Steven with both players a mere two points behind on 225.