Competitive golf returned after the New Year break as the January medals were contested over the weekend. Friday’s event saw Tony Ball (86-18=68) comfortably hold off the challenge of runner-up Ian Douglas (83-11=72) and Dave Watson third placed (94-18=72).

On Saturday, an outstanding round by Lawrence Schooley (79-17 = 62) resulted in a runaway win and a 1 shot handicap reduction. Ray Jones (84-16=68) was a distant second with Chris Shawyer (89-19=70) further back in third.

The milder conditions on Sunday produced further low scoring with the medal being decided on countback. First place went to Joan Smith (75-13=62), recording her second victory in as many months and relegating Mark Gopy (87-25=62) and David Bucke (87-24=63) to the minor places.

On Sunday the annual Turkey Trot produced yet another high scoring competition and Baz Patel’s 46 points gave him first place and a 3 shot cut in handicap. Just one point separated the next three places with runner-up Barry Meddle (41) beating Mark Gopy (41) into third on countback with Alan Berry (40) in fourth.

Belfairs members celebrated the inauguration of their new captains last week. On Thursday, Ladies Captain Mandy Moir adopted a cycling theme for her drive-in and accompanied by a cacophony of bicycle bells and hooters from the gathered audience, hit a fine tee shot to the par 3 1^st hole.

On Sunday it was the turn of Ian Mudie to drive in as Club Captain. Dressed in kilt and national football shirt, Ian’s theme was a tribute to his native Scotland and each of the assembled members and guests were given tam o’ shanter’s to wear.at the 1^st tee. Unfortunately, the sartorial splendour was not matched by the drive as Ian’s first tee-shot as captain promptly went out of bounds!

Both occasions were enthusiastically celebrated and best wishes go to Ian and Mandy for a successful year in office

Drive-in photos can be viewed here

Joan Smith created a small piece of club history on Friday by becoming the first lady member to win a mens medal event. Joan's 79-13 for a nett 67 to take first place from runner-up Tony Hayes (90-23=67) and David Watson (91-22=69) in third.

A somewhat reduced field of just 3 members turned out for Saturday's medal and it was left to Ray Jones (82-15=67) to comfortably win from Mark Gopy and Kevin Buck.

Sunday' event was a much closer fought affair as Steve Bucke (85-16=69) battled his way to first place from consistent runner-up Tony Hayes ((93-25=70) and  relegating Adam Joyce (86-16=70) to third on countback.

Belfairs played its bi-annual Rider Cup on Sunday when the men and ladies joined forces to make up two teams representing the Weekenders and Veterans. The format replicates its more well-known namesake and 68 players competed in fourballs, foursomes and singles matches. The final result was a 14 ½ - 7 ½ victory for the Weekenders to retain the trophy, but more importantly, it was yet another resounding success for one of the best days in the Belfairs calendar.

The monthly medals were contested over the previous weekend and it was the consistent Neil Arends with a very creditable nett 61 who comfortably won Friday’s event and incurred a 2 shot cut in handicap. Second was Bobby Allan (65) and Trefor Williams (67) third.

On Saturday, new member Lee Hollebone made an immediate impact to card a nett 65 and win his first medal from second placed Graham Jones (66) and Tony Hayes (69) in third.

Nicholas Mounsey shot yet another fine round on Sunday and his nett 64 took the medal leaving -up Hugh Brown (67) and  David Bucke (67) contesting the minor placings

Two Belfairs members played outstanding golf last week; in the single stableford, Mark Gopy carded 40 points to win comfortably from runner-up Nigel Warder (32), who relegated Mark Duguid (32) to third on countback. Gopy received a 1 shot handicap reduction for his efforts. 

In Saturday’s single bogey competition, Alex Tindell also attracted the handicapper’s attention when he played the round of his life to return 7 up and incur a handicap cut to 20. Nearest challenger was Hugh Brown (2 up) followed by third placed Mark Gopy (1 up). 

Sunday’s event needed countback to decide the result as David Bucke and Nigel Warder tied 4 up. It was Bucke who took the honours however with Toney Hayes (1 up) taking third spot.

Local rivalry took centre stage on Sunday as Belfairs and Southend golf clubs contested the Roger Foreman Trophy. Played twice yearly in the Spring and Autumn, the greensomes competition adheres to the best sporting traditions and is enjoyed by all regardless of the result. It was, however, a win for Belfairs, beating their host 12 points to 4 to retain the trophy won in April. The Woodhouse Tall Trophy is an individual competition played between the captains and vice captains of the respective clubs and it was another victory for Belfairs as Chris Shawyer and Ian Mudie won 5&4 against their Southend counterparts Dave Burgess and Chris Kirby.

Two medals were contested by the ladies last week with Joan Smith (74) taking the first and Sue Meddle (77) winning a closely fought second on countback from runner-up Andrea Clarke (77) and Joan Howroyd (78) third.

On Sunday, Mark Duguid and Steve Bucke took on Baz Patel and Steve Mann in the Summer Fourball final. A closely contested morning round left Duguid and Bucke just 1 down and a fine birdie by Bucke at the first hole in the afternoon promised a close battle for the trophy. However, at the fifth hole Mann and Patel took advantage of a chip in birdie from the latter and from there built an unassailable lead to win on the 12th, 8&6

Following on from his recent win in the Junior Championship, the ever  consistent Ray Beadell carded 41 points to take the weekend Single Stableford. Richard Mounsey (38) was runner-up and Jon Howley (38) third, making a welcome return after a long layoff through injury.

In a closely contested ladies Stableford Autumn Meeting, countback was needed to decide the result with Andrea Clarke (36) just finishing ahead of Joan Howroyd (36) and third placed Susan Meddle (33).

It was Finals Day on Sunday and Belfairs celebrated a new Club Champion as Russell Johnson took the title from Kevin Gough. In a close fought, but sporting contest, Gough took a 1 hole lead after the morning round, only for Johnson to dominate the afternoon and go dormie 3. Defending champion Gough, however, was not going to relinquish his crown easily and fought back to win the 16^th and 17th. In a nail biting finish, Gough had the chance to be all square on the last, but missed the putt and Johnson took the match 1up.

The Junior Championship was a less tense affair as Ray Beadell overcame the challenge of Michael Price to win 7&6. Beadell was 9 up at lunch, but did not have things all his own way in the afternoon as Price attempted a spirited comeback, finally succumbing to Beadell on the 30^th hole.

Mark Duguid defeated Graham Jones 1 up to take the Mugs Cup for a second time. With never more than one hole in it throughout the day, the match was in the balance until the final putt on the 18^th green.

The Belfairs Cup was more straightforward for Nigel Warder, convincingly beating Lawrence Schooley 11&10. Conceding 4 shots to his opponent, Warder dominated the morning round to lead 8 up at lunch and then did not lose a hole to win the match on the 26^th.