The first ever “Horsington Open” golf tournament to raise money for the church roof, was held on Monday November 11 at Henstridge Golf club. The 22 competitors braved a light drizzle to compete over 9 holes for the coveted Horsington Claret Jug trophy, kindly donated by Charles James of Ottery Antiques, and Richard Gaunt.
In fact “The S & D Open”, after the closed railway line, might have been a more appropriate title, as competitors came from Wincanton, to Stalbridge and all stations in between. One player was from Warminster, another from Lincolnshire (which also boasts a Horsington).
At the top of the leader board it was a tight competition between some very good low handicap golfers. Peter Gripper and David Blake from Horsington narrowly failed to beat a challenge from George Wagland from Henstridge (playing for the Half Moon), and the eventual winner, Chris Dibben from Wincanton, who won the competition overall with a stunning 26 points, which will no doubt be of interest to the handicap secretary at his home club!
Chris Bennett from Lincolnshire, David West from Yenston, Phil Bennett and Andrew Tarling from Horsington all put in creditable scores.
Best Team The Winky Seniors, Wincanton
Best lady golfer Ginty Malcolm, Templecombe
Nearest the pin on the 3rd hole Graham Soper, Stalbridge
Longest drive on the 7th Frank White, Wincanton
The fun element of the tournament was the Cricket competition on the side. If you hit your ball over the green without touching the ground, score 6. If you hit your ball across the (surprisingly fast) green, and off the other side, score 4. The Old Bakers & Bowmakers (Phil Bennett, Paul Mann, Brian Tunnicliffe and Graham Soper) scored a staggering 98 runs, way ahead of anyone else.
The individual high score went to Chris Bennett (no relation), who scored 36, but also came 4th equal in the competition. Something wrong with his range finding equipment!
At the bottom of the table (and we do mean bottom), Horsington’s three worst golfers, Ted Banks, Paul Mann and Richard Gaunt carried off the booby prizes, two chocolate golf balls and one Suduko Toilet roll!
All in all this was a very enjoyable day, despite the weather. Henstridge Golf Club proved to be a very good venue, with excellent facilities and a very hospitable and welcoming team. £110 was raised for the Church roof fund.
Thanks also to, Andrew and Philippa Tarling of the Half Moon, Steve Love of the Arch, Sherborne Paul Mann, Ginty Malcolm, Libby Gaunt, Chris Bailward, Ted Banks and Henstridge Golf Club for generously donating prizes.
The Horsington Open Order of Merit 2013
| Name | H/cap | Team name | Pts | Pos | |
| Chris | Dibben | 25 | Winky Seniors | 26 | 1 |
| Derek | King | 26 | Winky Seniors | 20 | 2 |
| George | Wagland | 17 | Half Mooners | 20 | 3 |
| Chris | Bennett | 24 | Vet Veterans | 19 | 4= |
| Mike | Parfitt | 21 | Winky Seniors | 19 | 4= |
| Peter | Gripper | 18 | Vet Veterans | 17 | 6= |
| Frank | White | 12 | Winky Seniors | 17 | 6= |
| David | West | 12 | Imponderables | 17 | 6= |
| David | Blake | 14 | VetVeterans | 16 | 9= |
| Graham | Soper | 26 | Old Bakers & Bowmakers | 16 | 9= |
| Phil | Bennett | 22 | Old Bakers & Bowmakers | 15 | 11 |
| Andrew | Tarling | 28 | Half Mooners | 14 | 12= |
| Colin | Constable | 28 | Imponderables | 14 | 12= |
| Howard | Bentley-Marchant | 13 | Imponderables | 13 | 14 |
| Ginty | Malcolm | 36 | Legs & Co | 7 | 15= |
| Gail | Garbutt | 36 | Legs & Co | 7 | 15= |
| Brian | Tunnicliffe | 24 | Old Bakers & Bowmakers | 6 | 17= |
| Liz | Bentley-Marchant | 36 | Legs & Co | 6 | 17= |
| Libby | Gaunt | 36 | Legs & Co | 4 | 19 |
| Ted | Banks | 28 | Half Mooners | 3 | 20= |
| Paul | Mann | 26 | Old Bakers & Bowmakers | 3 | 21 |
| Richard | Gaunt | 28 | Imponderables | 1 | 22 |
Congratulations Richard on a very well organised 1st effort on the Horsington Open. It was a most enjoyable day even though the weather wasn’t very clement !!
Looking forward to next Year …many thanks Richard .
Thank you once again Richard for a most proficiently run Horsington golf event .It was a happy day despite the weather, and enjoyed by all Please give my thanks to your wife for the send off with the glass of port both were special. Chris Bennett
What a enjoyable day with excellent company. I will be delighted to play again – if asked. I agree that it was a pity about the weather but it was the same for everybody.
25 stapleford points on 9 holes must be a record – well done!
Thank you Richard for organising a smashing day.
Colin Constable