It’s goodbye Steve, hello Steff at Mannings Heath
Goodbye Steve, hello Steff! It was changing captains day at Mannings Heath as Steve Batley putted himself out of office and deputy Steffan Battle drove himself in.
The traditional handover ceremony was preceded by a very successful New Captain's Team Event with 26 teams of four making the most of perfect golfing weather.
The best two Stableford scores were counted on each hole and the result was close. Richard Burton, Howard Mannion , Ed Barnes and Paul Treanor combined for an impressive 87 points – almost a nett par plus a nett birdie on every hole.
But the quartet of Michael Sheridan, Tony Nash, Matt Leary and Andy Lambert were only a point behind them – with Martyn Little, Keith Blackshire, Douglas Howell and Jerremy Windwood just one point further adrift.
New captain Battle knows he has a tough act to follow, particularly on the fundraising front.
Under his predecessor Batley's leadership Mannings Heath members raised £11,107 for their Fairway Fund which, match-funded with partners Focus Foundation, meant that four local charities – Springboard, Southwater Youth Project, Olive Tree Cancer Support and Horsham Matters – benefitted by over £22,000.
Half term week gave Heath's younger members the chance to contest their Juniror Stableford event, with three-handicap William Virgo round in two under par gross for an outstanding 41 points.
Milo Casey was second with 39 and Beau Lyons pipped Camy Gu for third place on countback with 35.