Captain’s Prize Only three weeks ago we were melting in what seemed like forever sunshine. This weekend was the Captain’s Prize and the weather definitely changed! The onset of rain from 10.30am meant the midday and late starters struggled to hold onto their clubs and gave their rain wear their first outing since April! Fortunately, Club Captain Kevin Lyons, was philosophical about it and said "It is what it is, it was the only thing we couldn`t organise to suit ourselves, all 180 members who played still seemed to have a good time and that`s most important to me." With the heavy rain holding off until around midday, the early starters benefited from no Sunday lay in. Plenty of 44 and 45 points didn`t even make the podium in the better ball event. Third prize on count back (46 pts) was won by Charles Locke and Gary Mason, with what is usually a winning score. They narrowly beat Simon DJ Micklethwaite and Kevin Lazell with a better back nine. Runners up were serial podium finishers, Dan Clarke and Robbie Slaughter, with what should have been the winning score of 49 points! The winners with an amazing 50 points were Rob Coston and Julian Thake. Rob finished nett eagle, nett birdie to edge Dan and Robbie out of first. "We fitted perfectly together, when I missed a putt, Julian made one and vice versa. I`ve just had another lesson with Dave and it`s definitely bedding in and my shots are responding nicely most of the time. I knew we were going well and it helped to be playing alongside Charles and Gary. Had we had the weather others suffered, I doubt we would be having this conversation." At prize giving, the Captain handed out prizes to the cadets, Tommy King and Woody Eastman, 5 day winner - Paul Claxton, the Ladies overall winner - Tina Gregory and fun prizes to Katy Grant, Kay Dalton, James Irving and Peter Aves. In his speech he thanked just about everyone but nearly forgot his wife Jenny! Dinner might have been forgotten on Monday had he done so!
Youth Shield Mark White`s Youth Shield side sadly just fell at the last hurdle at the weekend losing a dramatic semi-final to Abridge 3-2. "Credit to Abridge, they are a good side, we needed a little fortune to go our way if we were to make the final. Sadly it wasn`t to be but we had another good run in the competition. I couldn`t ask any more of the team, a special mention to Ellie Redgewell, playing her first match for the team and she won her game."
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