This year’s Autumn Meeting was very well-supported with 50 Captains playing the usual 4BBB Stableford format. The course at Saltford was in excellent condition, particularly after the heavy rain the day before. The scores reflected the conditions and the favourable weather which did not really reflect the forecast – one heavy shower was all the field had to cope with despite some thunder and lightning in the distance.
Captain of Captains David Bate and Saltford Captain David Diamond kicked off the event alongside Captain Elect Mike Rossiter and Chris Bryant and returned solid scores of 37 and 36 points respectively.
Phil Slater and Colin mantle from Wells set the target with 39 points which was up there in the prizes for almost the whole day. The first pair to break 40 were Steve Butterfield (Cannington) and Phil Barrett (T&P) with an excellent 42 points, evenly spread with 21 points on each nine.
Only the second to last group really challenged the scores with Kevin Blakely and Dean Evans scoring 39 points but beating Phil and Colin on the back three! Playing partners Graham Hewlett and Barry Saunders maintained Worlebury’s continuing dominance of the team events with a great score of 44 points to come out on top.
Prizewinners were:
Nearest the Pin
Steve Butterfield (2nd), Darren Thorne (9th), David Bate (11th) and Malcolm Head (17th)
4BBB Autumn Meeting
1st Graham Hewlett and Barry Saunders 44 points
2nd Steve Butterfield and Phil Barrett 42 points
3rd Kevin Blakely and Dean Evans 39 points on countback (best back 3)
Griffith Trophy
The Griffith Trophy is awarded to the Captain with the best combined score from the Spring and Autumn Meetings – Captains cannot play with the same partner in both meetings.
The prizewinners were:
1st Graham Hewlett 85 points (41 + 44)
2nd Phil Barrett 81 points (39 + 42)
3rd Kevin Blakely 78 points (39 + 39)
[All the results from the day can be seen HERE (link)]
After an excellent meal, Saltford Captain David Diamond formally welcomed Somerset Golf Captains before the prize giving and received a resounding vote of thanks for the club’s hospitality on the day and the condition of the course. Captain David Bate presented the prizes and President Roy Parmiter ended the day with a few words of thanks to all those involved in organizing the event, especially SGC Secretary Clive Stilwell.
Our thanks to Saltford Golf Club, and especially Operations Manager Michaela Chivers, for their support and assistance before and on the day.
