THE Senior Section at Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club started last week with a Bowmaker 231 competition.

At the end of the team event it was Peter Young, Roger Read and Richard Baker who took the honours on count back after recording a nett 70, just edging in front of second placed Chris Durman, Richard Austwick and Nigel Trevelyan. In third place with 67 points were Dave Oatridge, Bob Arthington and Graham Stone.

A qualifying medal off the white tees was played on the Wednesday. The competition was fully subscribed and a combination of localized difficult rough and a stiff breeze provided challenging conditions, particularly on the back nine.

Congratulations must go to Richard Austwick, who clearly benefiting from his recent four-month overseas sabbatical and finding form with a vengeance, recorded a nett 69 to win.

Second place went to Tony Connolly (nett 70) while it was Bob Arthington who was third with a nett 71.

Friday’s competition was the Seniors’ Stewards Trophy (Foursomes format), which can be punishing and can test the best of pairings, so participants had the opportunity to choose their partners. Played in a very strong wind, some members were introduced to parts of the course rarely visited.

In what proved to be a close competition, Bob Arthington and Mike Kelly won with an excellent nett 71. Second place went to Andrew Coward and Andrew Wilson with a nett 72 while Steve Gay and Steve Woodbury claimed third position with a nett 73.

After the first nine, the two Steve’s were well in the lead with a quite magnificent gross 34 which included an eagle on the par 4 second hole. Unfortunately on the back nine, the wind took its toll on what could have been a very good round.