Brandon's comeback continues.

Conditions conspired to bring the normally high scoring down this week but didn’t stop Hampshire star Brandon Thompson continuing his come back from knee surgery and winning one and coming second in the other of the two weekend events. Completion of the new covered practice/teaching facility is almost complete and Freshwater will be celebrating with an Free Open Weekend on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th for any one interested in taking the game up – please phone 752955 for further details. So as to involve all Island golfers in the celebration we will be offering 2 for 1 green fees in April for all island residents as well as 2 for 1 menus at Fairways End and 2 for 1 coaching from our PGA Pro James Veal.

Highest score in Sunday’s Stableford was 39 points returned by Mark Debuse (8) to take Division 1 followed by Brandon Thompson (5) second on 37 and Barry Crook (12) in third scoring 35 points. In Division 2 two players finished on 39 points with Malc Williams (16) taking first place on count back from Cris Keith (19), third place went to Dennis Smith on 38.

Also played on the Sunday was the final of Rolies Winter Knockout a better ball Matchplay event with Nat Riddett and Adam Keen running out the winners on the 18th hole after being 3 up 6 play with a somewhat round the houses four from Nat sealing the fate of opponents Gary Holmes and Tony Keen (Adam’s father).

Saturday saw a dreaded Par competition with young Ryan Harmer returning the best score of the day to win Division 2, carding a round of 4 up off of his 16 handicap. Dick Leppard (19) finished second on 2 up and Martin Brett (27) took third place 1 up on count back from John Sexton. In Division 1 Brandon Thompson took the honours 3up playing off 5 handicap ahead of fellow five handicapper Kevin Garrett on 2 up and third placed Stuart Morris on 1 up.

In the Junior Medal Tom Stockley returned an excellent nett 59 to reduce his handicap by 5 shots to 27.

The scoring in mid week Stableford was again slightly lower than usual with the highest score coming from Andy Rann picking up Division 2 with 40 points off of 27 handicap, second place went to Chris Boulter (18) on 39 points and Shaun Clark (22) finished third on 38 points. Thirty seven points was all that Division 1 players could mange with Malc Williams (16) finishing top of the heap on count back from John Mew (14) in second and Chris West (11) in third with three more players finishing a shot adrift on 36 points