It was all change at Belfairs Golf Course last week as the new captains performed the traditional drive-ins.

On Thursday, Ladies Captain Kay Fagg was Pearly Queen for the day as she brought a touch of the East End to the first tee. Members and guests performed a rendition of London songs before Kay stepped up and hit her drive down the fairway. The cockney experience was nicely completed with pie and mash served in the clubhouse.

The Sport of Kings came to Belfairs on Sunday as Club Captain Chris Shawyer arrived on horseback resplendent in jockey silks. Thankfully, Chris displayed better golf than horsemanship and his tee shot landed squarely on the green, much to the amazement of members who had predicted otherwise.      

More pictures can be viewed here

The one outstanding gold leaf final was completed last week as Baz Patel and Lawrence Schooley took the Relf Foursomes beating Nigel Warder and Russell Johnson.  4 up after the morning round, a spirited afternoon fight back by their opponents was not enough to overcome the deficit  and Patel and Schooley persevered to claim victory 4&3.

The monthly medals were contested over the weekend and produced some fine golf despite the damp and misty conditions. Consistent Frank Howroyd carded a creditable gross 77 (nett 66) to take Friday’s event, finishing 2 shots clear of runner-up Peter Gregory (68) and third-placed David Watson (70).

On Saturday, a missed short putt on the first could have cost Kevin Gough the medal as it needed countback to eventually decide the outcome. In the end it was Gough (76-9=67) who emerged the winner from Andrew Nash (77-10=67) with both players comfortably ahead of Harry Smith (87-16=71) in third.

Best nett score of the weekend belonged to Nigel Warder (78-13=65) as he wrapped up Sunday’s medal pursued by Tony Hayes (88-21=67) and Steve Bucke (83-16=67) contesting the minor places.  

The Weekend Order of Merit was decided on Sunday with Ray Beadell taking the overall winner trophy and Ray Jones the prize for the best 20 cards.

ORDER OF MERIT

 BEST 20 CARDS

Thank you to all members who supported the Weekend Roll-Up

Full placings can be viewed here

Sunday saw the autumn renewal of the Roger Foreman Trophy challenge contested between Belfairs and Southend Golf Clubs. Once again the match was contested in the best sporting tradition and the greensomes format produced yet another close finish with both teams tying on 8 points each. It was Belfairs, however, who as the incumbent holders retained the trophy until the next renewal in the Spring. 

Last week saw the ladies play their monthly medal and Ida Bunting qualifier. First place went to Andrea Clarke (78) winning from runner up Mandy Moir (79) and Teresa Hirons (81) in third. 

SOUTHEND GOLF CLUB ARE THE HOSTS
Time
0736  T. Hayes & G. Jones
0744  B. Clark & H. Brown
0752  D. Buddle & J. Trendell
0800  Captain - V.Captain
0808  T. Fagg & B. Patel
0816  A. Berry & A. Pace
0824  N. Warder & J. Watson
0832  R. Jones & P. Mahoney
0840  K. Gough & C.Parker
0848  R.Halett & R.Beadell
0856  A.Tindell & L.Schooley
0904  H. Smith & A. Elliott
0912  S. Mann & L. Mann
0920  R. Mounsey & N. Mounsey
0928  R. Chadwick & B. Allan
0936  S. Bucke & D. Bucke

• Please be on the tee ten minutes before your tee off time.
• The format of the match is greensomes matchplay.
• Play from the yellow boxes.
• Placing is allowed.
• Bacon Rolls at Southend Golf Club From 7:15am

Club Colours Must Be Worn

The monthly medals were contested over the weekend and produced some close results. In Friday’s event, countback was required to determine Bobby Allan (72) as the winner from runner-up Frank Howroyd (72) followed by third-placed Ron Murray (73). Saturday’s medal went to Alan Berry carding a nett 70 with Mark Duguid (71) in the second spot and third placed Alex Tindell (73). On Sunday, just 1 point separated the first four places, but it was Ray Beadell who eventually emerged triumphant from Jonathan Watson (both nett 70) and Kevin Gough a close placed third (71)

Barry Meddle rolled back the years on Sunday to win the prestigious Kennedy Cup. The 36 hole competition, played over the weekend, saw Meddle card a fine nett 140 and finish two shots clear of runner-up Rodney Hall (142) and third placed Hugh (142).

The ladies contested their Autumn Meeting on Thursday and countback was needed to decide both competitions. Mandy Moir took the stable ford competition with 31 points from  Hazel Webber (31) and Teresa Hirons in third. The afternoon Texas Scramble was won by the team of Barbara Hall, Susan Meddle and Pat Pace with 17 points.

Sunday’s Single Bogey competition ended tied as Rod Hall and Rick Chadwick both finished at 2 up, but Hall prevailed as countback gave him victory over Chadwick and third placed Ray Jones (all sq).

In the D. Condie Trophy, 30 points was enough to secure winners spot for Susan Meddle from runner-up Christine Berry (27) and Hazel Webber (27) in third.

FINAL’S DAY Sunday, 20th September 2015

Belfairs celebrated a new club champion on Sunday as Kevin Gough beat Russell Johnson 2 & 1. In a closely fought final, Gough held a 1 hole lead at the halfway stage and then had to face a determined challenge from his opponent before eventually deciding the match at the 35th hole. Full results from Finals Day:  

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP  Kevin Gough bt Russell Johnson 2&1
JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP  Richard Riebold bt Michael Price 3&2
MUGS CUP  Jonathan Watson bt Lawrence Schooley 3&2
BELFAIRS CUP   Ray Jones bt Trevor Innard 4&3
SUMMER FOURBALL  Steve Bucke & Mark Duguid bt Baz Patel & Steve Mann 2&1
STEWART BROWNE  Mrs J Smith bt Mrs J Richardson
VETERAN’S CUP  Graham Jones bt Harry Smith
WATMOUGH CUP  Mrs L Steel bt Mrs J Howroyd

Andrea Clarke recorded a comfortable victory on Ladies Secretary's Day taking first place with 34 points ahead of runner-up Pat Pace (28) and Hazel Webber (27) in third.