County Captain’s Day at Clays
Starting this week with Phil Coleman’s veterans’ results from the Vale of Llangollen, it would appear that they experienced mixed fortunes in their two recent outings with a win against Helsby by 8 ½ to 3 ½ at home, but a loss against Hawkestone Park, also at home, by 6 matches to 4. The section, started by Frank Ellis, father of past secretary Terry Ellis, is one of the most competitively successful sections at this level in the immediate locality, many of their matches being established as long ago as thirty years and still going strong.
Derek Lyon at Clays supplies results and commentary to the extent that he makes my bit a lot easier, and this week is no exception. Commencing with the Seniors’ Individual Stableford played just a week ago; I am delighted to report that the winner, with 43 points, was Derek himself; well done! Second came D N Murphy with 35 followed by Ray Martin on 34 and then Bill Duncan on another 34.
Now I have no intention of gilding the lily, but Ray Martin has been for some considerable time one of the most consistent players off his nine handicap that I can remember; look who beat him by nine points!!
Seniors Open Day played at Old Padeswood golf club on 1st July attracted the attention of many of Clays seniors to this very hospitable Flintshire Club.
D.G.U. County Captain Tony Harcombe played with Stewart Poole to a point equalling best card of the day, just losing out in the final reckoning to A Litherland and D Munro of Bromborough who won the event on the back nine holes.
Tony Morgan and Douglas Walker of Wrexham Golf club came in at 6th place with 43 points to complete the local involvement in the event.
The club July medal was played on Saturday 3rd July with a competition scratch score of 69 for the men and 70 for the ladies.
Winner of Division 1 was Graham David Jones with 75 – 11 – 64 from second placed David Parry on 75 – 9 – 66. Scott Anderson was in third place with 72 – 6 – 66.
The second division went to Michael Eaton who returned a card reading 78 – 13 – 65. Bill Kelleher was in second place with 80 – 14- 66 with Michael McHugh third in the group with 83 – 17 – 66.
Rob Condren scored a neat 87 – 19 – 68 to win the third division. He was followed by Ernest Williams with 89 – 19 – 70 and then Nigel Harris on 91 – 20 – 71.
Highlight of the week was the playing of the County Captain’s Day on Sunday with Tony Harcombe as host.
Local knowledge had a huge input into the results as the first four pairs were from Clays golf club. Winners with 43 points were Colin Bryan and Paul W. Jones from Mark Jones and Phil Jones who submitted the best of three 41 point cards. Third came Rob Mathieson and Gareth Roberts followed by Howard Lloyd and Phil Davies in fourth place.
From Denbigh golf club came the fifth pairing of E Pierce and M O Griffiths who handed in 40 points, a score replicated by Reg Peacock and Gareth Parry of Clays with N M Jones and D Masters of Rhos on Sea in seventh place with yet another 40.
Wrexham hosted a couple of prestigious events for their junior section last week commencing with the Junior Centenary Cup which was won by Morgan Davies with 97 – 36 – 61.
Sam Higgins, last years junior captain won the Graham Williams Trophy with 74 – 5 – 69.
The ladies played their GUW medal through two handicap divisions with Janet Pritchard leading the way in the Silver division with her score of 88 – 20 – 68. Second came Cynthia Davies with 91 – 19 – 72 with Beverley Lloyd Jones in third place with 92 – 18 – 74.
The Bronze division was won by Janet Sharley with 96 – 27 – 69. She was followed by Gayle Elson on 92 – 23 – 69 and Jacqueline L. Williams on 96 – 25 – 71.
Mrs. Ann Davies, Ladies’ Captain, held the competition of her Captain’s Day on 29th June following a rain soaked attempt on 8th June when the celebrations went ahead but not the golf.
Winning the Ladies’ Captain’s prize was Glenys Wynne with 41 points in a card play off against Angela Miller, wife of Keith Miller the club Captain. The back nine holes event for veteran ladies was won by Freda Darlington with a level par 18 points.
The silver division was won by Dorothy Davies on 38 points followed by Monica Jones on 38 and then Carole Jones on the same numbers. Angela won the Bronze division with her 41 point card hotly pursued by June Roberts on 38 and Sandie Reddington on 37.
The club hosts a busy weekend with the Crowe and Leader Cups on Saturday and the Derby Cups on Sunday.