ONE the most prestigious dates in the Minehead golfing calendar, the Mens’ Club Championship, was played last weekend over 36 holes. With intermittent drizzle forecast for Round 1 on Saturday, conditions were nevertheless favourable as the large entry began their round.

Two of the favourites took full advantage. Will Paton (-4) carded the best gross score achieving a 69, three under par while Archie Walsh (-3) came second with a par round 72.

In the nett competition Tony Bowden (17) took the honours with a 66. Ellis Taylor (6) came in second with 67 while Stuart Bailey (6) was third with a 68.

Round 2 on Sunday was more challenging with a strong wind making it difficult. The overnight leaders were able to sustain their previous day’s form. Archie Walsh scored the best round of the day with a gross 75 while Will Paton took second with a 76.

This was sufficient to ensure that Will won the Mens’ Club Championship with an aggregate score of 145 (1+ par). Archie Walsh took second place with an aggregate 147 (+3). Simon Rudd (Hcp 1) came third with an aggregate score of 154 (+10).

In the nett competition, Round 2 saw the leaders unable to maintain their respective good form of the previous day. A very steady two rounds (70 + 69 = 139) by Paul Skinner (9) ensured that he won the nett competition from Nick Baker (9) who finished runner up with (72 + 72 = 144).

On Monday, the Seniors played a 2,3,1 Bowmaker in which winners Martin Hole, Tim Evans and Richard Austwick finished with a score of 76 points, six clear of Graham Stone, Dave Oatridge and Sandy Lyons.

Temperatures were once again rising as the Seniors played for the Dexter Neville Trophy on Friday which saw a full field.

The heat inevitably took its toll; however, Frazer Lawrence (Hcp 14) won the trophy with a nett 67 on countback. Runner up, Tim Tennant (Hcp 30) also played particularly well putting out from just about anywhere on all the greens. In third place with nett 68 was Andy Coward putting together another excellent round. A mention also for Chris Durman whose gross 36 (par on the back nine) almost put him into contention.

Meanwhile, the Senior Section began the previous week with a 4 Ball Better Ball competition on the Monday. At the end of the round the pairing of Steve Gay and Graham Hammond were the decisive winners with 44 points.

Three points behind in second place were Martin Hole and Sandy Lyons with 41 points while Peter Young and Paul Thompson took third place on countback with 39 points.

Minehead Seniors played a midweek friendly match against Tiverton at Minehead. This is always a hard-fought encounter, and this match proved to be no different, with the home team running out the winners 4-2.

The Seniors rounded off their busy week on Friday, by playing a Stableford competition off the white tees. The combination of a strengthening breeze coupled with lightning-fast greens proved challenging for most which was reflected in the scoring.

Bob Arthington continued his excellent form of late by winning the competition with 38 points, five points ahead of his nearest rival who was Frazer Lawrence who took second place on countback with 33 points ahead of Tim Evans who ended in third position.