MINEHEAD & West Somerset Golf Club hosted an Open Seniors Stableford competition on Wednesday - an event that attracted more than 80 entrants and summer weather with not a trace of a breeze. it was expected that scoring would be good - and so it turned out to be.

In a very close contest, Nigel Gardner (Minehead GC) took the honours on countback with 42 points. Sandy Lyons (Minehead GC) took second place while Jim Malarkey (Minehead GC) came third with 41 points. Mike Jinks (Burnham & Berrow GC) took first prize for the best visitors score with 40 points, also finishing fourth overall.

In among all the results, a special mention must go to Paul Rees (Minehead GC) for his hole in one on the 10th. Very unusual for Paul to hit the green on any par 3, so this was some achievement! It is every golfer’s dream and Paul will long remember it.

The second round of the Seniors Marshall Cup was played on Friday in perfect conditions. The rapidly growing lush rough provided a stern test of observation for those who deviated from the fairway, frequently costing shots and occasionally a trek back to the tee. None of this appeared to affect Chris Durman who returned a nett 70 to win this round. Fraser Lawrence kept up his good run of form with a nett 71 to take second place on count back from Trevor Stephens, another in good form, in third.

One of the most prestigious events in the Men’s Calendar was played on the Minehead course recently. The Bickerton Bowl Scratch Open, a 36-hole medal competition took place at Minehead last Sunday with players travelling from as far afield as Weymouth, Hertfordshire and Mid-Wales.

Conditions were excellent throughout the day, with very little wind. The Round 1 winner was Jonathan Grace (-4) (Cumberwell Park GC) with a gross 67 including eagles on the par 4 first hole and on the par 5, 16th hole. Jonathan’s round also included 3 birdies. Archie Walsh (-2) (Minehead GC) finished with a gross 69 that included an eagle on the par 4, 15th and 5 birdies. Third place went to Josh Martin (-3) (Oake Manor GC) with a gross 70 including eagles on the par 4, 6th and on the par 5, 11th together with 2 birdies.

In the afternoon round, Jonathan Grace continued his excellent form to return a gross 69 that included an eagle on the par 5, 5th and 3 birdies. This was sufficient to claim second place behind Justin Lane (Burnham & Berrow GC) on count back who also finished with a gross 69. In third position was Josh Stancer (-1) (Taunton & Pickeridge) with a gross 70.

Overall, and many congratulations on winning the Bickerton Bowl was Jonathan Grace who finished with a total of 136 (-8). In second place with 142 (-2) was Josh Martin while Archie Walsh (Minehead GC) took third also with 142 (-2). Only four players finished below par for the day, with Josh Stancer (-1) taking 4th with 143 (-1).

Many congratulations go to to the winners and all players who took part and the Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club look forward to welcoming all golfers back again next year. It is a competition which is enjoyed by everyone.