Super Cowdray seniors are unbeatable at home

They duly beat the visitors 5½-2½, capping a magnificent season by remaining unbeaten at home through 26 matches, 24 of which were won.

Considering the club’s seniors’ selection policy is based on giving everyone a fair number of games and not selecting teams to necessarily win matches, this achievement is all the more meritorious.

On a sunny but very breezy day, the visitors were handicapped by starting a man short which resulted in the sole player being heavily defeated.

Seniors’ captain Wally Mitchell and team captain John Smith got the day off to a superb start with an 8&7 victory, quickly followed by a 5&4 win from George Crouch and Robin West, while the remaining matches were more closely contested.

Results (Cowdray names first): John Smith & Wally Mitchell beat Roy Summers & Stan Massey 8&7; George Crouch & Robin West beat Ron Clement & Chris Hicks 5&4; Mike Burgess & Brian Carpenter beat Stan Barnes 9&8; Brian Taylor & Peter Clarke lost to Bill Nicholls & John Richards 1dn; Mike Holden & John Wright beat Bill Davies & Vic Moss 2 up; Tony Castley & Graham Evans halved with Phil Sparshatt & Christopher Shaw; John Butler & Garry Strowbridge beat Bill Ford & Tony Kenyon 2&1; Colin Tebbutt & Philip Singer lost to Chris Marshall & David Coleman 6&4.

Cowdray seniors had split loyalties when the Over-70s - the Oldies - challenged the Under-70s - the Young Bucks - for bragging rights and the Jimmy Thompson Trophy.

Seniors’ captain Wally Mitchell (Over-70) made various changes to procedures by prematurely ageing the top two seniors, Dave Hirons and David Heard, and asking the ‘youngsters’ to play from the back white tees.

With a shotgun start, the format was four-ball-better ball medal with every hole played to a conclusion. The winning margins were added to the team totals.

The Oldies eventually won by 42 holes to 24, winning eight of the 14 matches, although the Young Bucks were handicapped by playing one match with only one player, resulting in an abnormal margin of victory.

After much good-natured banter afterwards, the trophy was presented to Wally Mitchell by Dave Tilley.

Cowdray seniors made the long journey to Corhampton for their traditional finale to their long season.

They provided a wonderful finish to a highly-successful campaign, with an outstanding 5-3 victory.

Four quick victories gave the visitors the initiative to help counter a heavy defeat from the middle match.

Seniors’ captain Wally Mitchell said he had enjoyed playing in a large number of the season’s matches, particularly the sporting manner in which all of the matches are played.

Results: Wally Mitchell & Derek Smith lost to Alan Harnden & Chris Garrod 2&1; John Smith & Brian Taylor beat Brian Harvey & David Searle 1up; Graham Evans & Mike King beat Mark Rogers & Roy Chequer 3&2; David Tilley & Roger Poat lost to Geoff Staley & Norman Short 8&7; David Laver & Terry Moran beat Mick Barber & Terry Honour 4&3; David Heard & Jan de Vries beat Keith Edwards & Tony Hall 3&2; Ian Heustice & Keith Barker beat Pete Langrish & Dave Western 2&1; George Crouch & Dave Wickham lost to Tony Ely & Keith Waldron 2&1.

The October Medal at Cowdray Park was hit by dreadful weather and only 42 brave golfers took part.

Results: Div 1: Roger Murphy nett 73 (overall winner); Div 2: Harry Hollowood 75; Div 3: Brian Heath 74.

The Tupper Trophy is played for by all the monthly medal winners over the past 12 months. The format is 18-hole medal and 27 played.

Winner was Dave Tilley with nett 68, ahead of runner-up Roger Howard and Justin Thorpe, both with 71.

The 19th Hole Cup is an 18-hole greensomes stableford for gents and ladies. A good field of 33 pairs took part.

Winners were Robbie Hogg and Martin George with 44 points ahead of Obie Ayton and Polly Davenport with 42.

SELSEY

Already having won the club championship this year, 17-year-old Tom Aspital went out on the course with the qualifiers from all sections of the club to take one of the most coveted trophies in the clubhouse, the Max Faulkner Claret Jug.

He came in with gross 73 (nett 71). George Osbourne was second with gross 87 (75). Fellow competitors were in awe of Tom’s game and consistent accuracy.

Aspital is studying at Sussex College of Golf in Lindfield and hoping to make a career out of golf - as did the late Max Faulkner, once owner of Selsey Golf Club and 1951 winner of the Open Championship at the Royal Port Rush.

Lady captain Linda Partridge, still on form despite bad weather, won the EWGA Medal with a nett 79, ahead of Judy Sharpe on 82.

Linda also won the Christmas competition with 32 points. Barbara Winter was second on 30 points.

Winner of the Cancer Spoon was Ann Staples with 33 points. Runner-up was Linda Partridge on 32.