MINEHEAD and West Somerset Golf Club have staged the Arnold Palmer Charity Shield which is the leading charity event in the calendar year. A huge number signed up for the competition filling all the tee times from 8am until 2.30 pm,

In a high scoring 4BBB Stableford competition, the winners of the Arnold Palmer Shield with an excellent 48 points were Daniel Bevens and Richard Binding.

In second place were Anne Oglesby and Ginette Bowyer with 46 points, who also won the Rose Bowl Trophy for Ladies’ Pairs, defending the title they won last year. The winners of the mixed pairs with 42 were Ruth Ball and David Ball.

The day was all about raising money for the two nominated charities - Elliott’s Touch and The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, and in total over £4,300 was raised, including monies from the raffle and a ‘£20 golden ticket’ to enter the draw for free golf fees for next year. The popular recipient of this prize was Bill Hogg.

The amount raised was above expectations and grateful thanks must go to Ian Donnelly, the club’s general manager and Mike Bovingdon for their dedication and efforts in organising the event and making the day such a success.

Additional thanks must also go to all volunteers including those provided delicious cakes and refreshments at the half way house.

Meanwhile, Minehead Seniors also had a busy week ,starting the previous Sunday when they hosted Burnham and Berrow Golf Club in what is recognised as the oldest golf fixture in Somerset.

In a close encounter, Minehead won the match 5-4 with Minehead’s professional pairing of John Bickerton and Jordan Arnold winning the final match and in doing so, regaining the Sovereigns.

Other winners on the Minehead team were Bob Arthington and Martin Hole, Archie Walsh and Glenn Ross, Doug Hayhoe and Ian Gover, and Pete Whalley and Ellis Taylor.

On Monday of last week, the Seniors played a medal round off the white tees and with no adverse weather conditions nine players came in under par. In first place with nett 65 was Roger Read, who has been threatening to return to top form with some excellent recent performances. Second place went to Dave Walmsley with 66 while third on count back with 69 was Bob Arthington, just ahead of Trevor Stephens.

Minehead Seniors were at Ilfracombe on Wednesday playing the return fixture. In yet another close contest, the match ended 3-3 with Minehead winning over the two legs by 8-4.

Last Friday, there was a full entry for the Minehead Young Seniors v Minehead Old Seniors. Nine pairings from each age group played a 4BBB aggregate Stableford in what was again a very close contest with the Old Seniors finishing just four points ahead with 422 against 418.