Somerset Golf Captains staged the 2023 Captains’ Invitation Day on 20th June at Oake Manor Golf Club, returning to the venue following the great successes from the two previous events in 2021 and 2022.
92 golfers in 23 teams of four took part on a very warm day which threatened rain a few times but fortunately stayed dry for everyone. Thanks to Ben Gliddon from Minehead and West Somerset, who is not yet fit for golf but was kind enough to start the players from the 1st tee. See you soon on the course Ben!
The format of the day was a 2,3,4 Bowmaker, two scores to count on the 1st hole, three on the 2nd hole and all four on the 3rd hole, repeated six times.
Captain of Captains David Bate from Mendip Spring and guest Rad Radovic teamed up with Gwen Cavill from Enmore Park and her guest Peter Scott to start off the day. This team clearly enjoyed being first out and returned an impressive 127 points. Given that 108 points represented a “par” score of two points for each player on each hole, this looked like a possible winning score. It was already better than the 125 points which won in 2022.
As teams returned their scores, it looked increasingly like a win for David Bate and his team could happen. Former SGC Treasurer David Andow, his guest, son Tim Andow and Martin Bargery from Cricket St Thomas and his guest Peter Spencer-Farr came close with 122 points – aided by a net albatross for Peter when he holed out from 50 yards or so on the Par 5 15th! This put them in 2nd place at the time with almost half the field in.
Then the Worlebury team of Phil Stone and his guest Martin Morgan and Graham Hewlett and his guest Andy Judkins posted a remarkable score of 141 points. Their card was littered with four-point scores, Martin recording four of these on his own!
The Wheathill team of Rob Hirons, and guest Dave Kirby, and Steve Chinnock, and guest Dave Kerswell, came in soon afterwards to slip in to second place with 133 points; a score that would have won easily on most days! Steve also had a hole in one on the tough 10th hole which secured five points for his team.
As word of Steve’s success on the 10th spread, Maddie Casson from Cannington made it two holes in one on the day by recording an ace on the 16th hole. It did not change the team scores overall but was part of an incredibly unlikely day of golf.
For the full set of results click here: Captains Day Results 2023
Nearest the pin prizes were contested by all the amateurs on the five par 3 holes and the Professionals competed for nearest the pin in two on the 18th hole. The winners were:
4th Hole – Matt Shaw WSM;
6th Hole – Martin Dunton B&B;
10th Hole – Steve Chinnock Wheathill (plus a memento for his hole in one);
14th Hole – Dave Kirby Wheathill;
16th Hole – Maddie Casson Cannington (plus a memento for her hole in one)
Nearest the Pin in 2 for Professionals – Scott Thompson Mendip Spring who drove the 18th green!
After dinner, Captain of Captains David Bate introduced Oake Manor Club Captain Dave Kinnear who welcomed everyone to Oake Manor and thanked Somerset Golf Captains for their continued support. David Bate also thanked all of the Oake Manor team for an amazing day, including the delicious meal and the great support offered to SGC on the day.
President Roy Parmiter, supported by Secretary Clive Stilwell, presented the prizes to all of the winners. Graham Hewlett spoke on behalf of the winning team and thanked everyone for a thoroughly enjoyable day and the excellent organization of the event.
Finally, President Roy wished everyone a safe journey home and reminded them that the 2024 event will be held on Tuesday 18th June, again at Oake Manor, when we hope for another well-supported day with some more incredible golf.
