THIS week’s senior’s competition, taking place on Monday August 5, was a circus-based format underpinned by qualifying Stableford points scoring.
There were several prizes available- for divisional overall and front nine & back nine top scorers. Blue tees were the start points with the standard equity 95% course handicap allowance and a 37-strong field took to the course.
The weather was not great for this competition and persistent mizzle well into the round changed the outlook of the pace of the greens which became sluggish and the rough just off the fairways became most unfriendly.
Nevertheless, this was the case for most of the field although the later starters probably had the most consistent conditions.
In their respective divisions, the best of the day came from Colin Cooper (division 1) & Nigel Osborne (Division 2), both of whom put together outstanding rounds given the variable course conditions. Well done to both, particularly Nigel, who is in a rich vein of form and will no doubt see his generous handicap slashed after this performance.
Good rounds were also put together by Robert Knight & Peter Hannaford, they were the respective divisional runners-up. Hole fifteen retained its par integrity where the best recorded there was a bogey five. To sum up - for most, it was a game of two halves with the windy back nine challenging many who could not consolidate good outward nines.
In terms of the results, Nigel Osbourne was the overall winner with 44 points and he was three points ahead of Robert Knight in this standings and those of Division Two.
Mark Mitchell (40), Colin Cooper (39), Peter Hannaford (36) and Alistair Forbes (36) followed on from that leading duo.
Regarding the two separate nines, Colin had the best front-nine scores with 22pts and Peter’s 19 was the best on the back-nine for Division One. Nigel (25pts) and Robert (21pts) led the way in Division Two respectively.
Birdie twos were recorded at hole five by Steve Atkins, Geoffrey Jewell, Bernard Young & Paul Stubbs.
Nigel Osborne was at the helm for this event as he counted them all back with his customary due diligence. Many thanks to him.
Lastly, there is one quarter-final result from the Blight Trophy individual knockout, with Ian Metchette overcoming John Oldrieve and booking his spot in the semis in the process.
Next week, there will be a Stableford qualifier at Dartmouth GC.