Summer's gone - but golf prizes are a nice reminder

In the matchplay competitions there was a fine doubles victory by Alan Hance and David Blythe as they triumphed over Harry Harper and Ray Harding.

Meanwhile the singles was extremely close.

All square playing the 18th, Richard Parker was safely on the green in three while his opponent Dave Monkton had played through into the rough.

Dave’s answer was the perfect chip which rolled down the green and into the hole leaving Richard a 20ft putt to save the match.

The putt ran past the hole leaving Dave the winner.

This season has been one of the most competitive with both the Eclectic and Order of Merit competitions going to the wire and both won by the club’s more senior citizens.

Mike Beer has had a wonderful year, which included a hole in one in March and a record Stableford score of 48 points in July.

To cap it, he won the category-four Summer Eclectic with an impressive nett score of 54.5 – two strokes ahead of the category 2/3 winner Rob Baldwin.

The Order of Merit is the result of points given to the top ten in each of the 17 qualifier competitions through the summer and this year just two points separated the top four.

By the middle of August Don Hagell had established a considerable lead after two victories but the ensuing weeks saw several players closing the gap. Eventually Brian Melbourn with his second victory and a 4th place in September came through to pip Don for the coveted trophy by one point .

Results: Matchplay singles winner Dave Monkton, Runner-up Richard Parker; Matchplay Doubles winners Alan Hance & David Blythe; Runners-up Harry Harper & Ray Harding; Summer Eclectic Cat 4 Winner Mike Beer; Runner-up Charlie Duthie; Cat 2/3 winner Rob Baldwin; Runner-up Mike Snuggs; Order of Merit winner Brian Melbourn, 2nd Don Hagell, 3rd equal Charlie Duthie/Ron Cummins; 5th Norman Moore; 6th Joe Blackbourn.