Three seasons in one week!
In a period of seven days when we experienced at least three changes of season, culminating in floods of biblical proportions last Tuesday, golf seemed to have continued with the “business as usual” sign still standing.
However, some events suffered as a result of the weather, disappointingly the Ladies’ President’s Day at Wrexham which was terminated when the golf course became unplayable due to flooded greens. For those of you familiar with this course, the ninth green seems to be the benchmark for playability, especially as it can be viewed with great clarity from the Dining Room window. Thus, standing in the dry, the powers that be can make a value judgement as to whether play should, or should not, continue.
Ladies’ President, Mrs. Mary Potts, hosted her day in her usual calm manner, continuing with the evening reception with the competition being rescheduled for another day.
On July 7th, the club played their Seniors’ Shield and Veterans’ Cup for players aged firstly over 55, and in the second instance, over 65. The rules permit a veteran to win both, but a senior only within his age range.
Winner of the Seniors’ Shield came Peter Brand with 85 – 20 – 65 with R. Alun Morgan taking the Veterans’ Cup with his return of 83 – 17 – 66.
Testimony to the popularity of this age range of players, no less than one hundred and eight competitors contested the event.
Last weekend was the occasion of the thirty six holes Scratch Cup accompanied by the Weiner Cup for the best net scores over the distance. Winner of the Scratch was Paul Lloyd with a score of a five over par 145 followed by Andy Bostock with 147.
With net rounds of 69 and 66 the Weiner Cup went to David Phillips on 135 on a count back over the last eighteen holes over Paul James who returned net scores of 63 and 72, his 72 losing out to David’s 66.
The Ladies’ Invitation Day was played as a Greensome Stableford and featured Jean Sawford and Sue Goodyer of Eaton golf club in the winner’s enclosure with 41 points and a 22 point back nine holes. Second came the Ladies’ captain, Mrs. Ann Davies with Mrs. Cora Ellis of the Vale of Llangollen golf club with the same score but just 20 on the back nine. Third went to Sue Bannister with Maura Murphy on 40 points
The contents of the ball sweep went to Jean Sawford and Sue Goodyer who recorded a birdie on the short tenth hole.
Clays Golf club played their Shop Sunday Stroke play event ten days ago with the winner on net 66 being Brian Johnston followed by Kenny Hughes with 67 and then Reg Peacock on 68.
The same day was played the junior medal which witnessed a win for Tom Gledhill with 94 – 30 – 64 followed by Louis Gray on 75 – 10 – 65 and then Paul McCaffrey in third place with 72 – 7 – 65.
The Ladies’ July medal completed the play on this Sunday with a win for Pauline Peacock who scored 95 – 23 – 72 followed by Anne Richards on 89 – 17 – 72 and then Carol Ann Lee with 86 – 12 – 74.
The following day the Clays Seniors’ team played Aldersey Green whilst other senior members played an Individual Kitty competition. The match was won by Clays by eight games to two and Graham Stokes won the Kitty event with 37 points from Brian Mercer on 35, Steve Beech on 35 and Peter Almond on yet another 35 with 2nd, 3rd and 4th all separated on the back six holes.
Anne Richards won the June Stableford and the Powell’s Trophy with an undisclosed score, whilst the ladies played against Chirk in the Border Challenge and lost by a
3½ to 1½ margin.
Moving on, the Seniors were out in force again for their Yellow Ball event played in teams of four. Winners were Peter Lynch, Andrew Mitchell, Tom Mara and Cliff Davies with 151 points
Second on 146 came Ken Lawrence, Den Horton, Gordon Roberts and Bill Hughes. Twenty seven members took part whist others played away at the Pennant Park Open event.
Ladies’ captain, Jeanette Williams hosted her competition resulting in a win for Jane Bell with 33 points from Diane Dare on 32 points and Kim Harcombe with 31.
The longest ladies drive was recorded by Ann Richards, with Shirley Roberts gaining the nearest the pin, and Sandra Gittins winning the guest prize with 30 points. Shirley also took the prize for the 28 – 36 handicap range with 30 points
Howard Lloyd, club captain, also enjoyed his day with a plethora of different prizes available to be contested. The longest drive on the eighth hole was won by Andy Evans with his brother Michael Evans recording two birdies and winning the nearest the pin on the twelfth hole.
Mike Williams won the guest prize with 30 points and the Seniors’ prize went to Bill Duncan with 37 points
The winner of the main event was Lee Darlington with 42 points from second placed Geoff Bassett with 40, and then Mike Evans with 39.
Last Sunday the Stroke play went to Kevin Dennis Jones with net 67 from second placed Stuart Rogers on 68, a score repeated by Mike Healey and Phil Jones for third and fourth places respectively.
Bradley Edge won the Junior Summer Stableford league event with 43 points from Jack Cade on 40, Patrick McHugh, also on 40, and James Wilkinson on 37.
Today is Wednesday, and the Nightingale Hospice Charity Am Am is well under way at Wrexham golf club, albeit in squally condition and a steady breeze across the golf course.