44 players took to the field to battle it out for the coveted Claret Jug in the Horsington Open at Henstridge Golf Club on Saturday September 2nd. The weather was sunny and warm, the course beautifully prepared, and nothing could go wrong. And it didn’t.
The event raised £781, to be shared between St Margaret’s Hospice and Wincanton Live at Home, thanks to the generosity of the players, sponsors and prizegivers. The Open also received generous donations from potential competitors who were unable to play this time.
As usual the competition was stiff and the winning scores very close. Some very good golfers turned out and the Henstridge course, thought to be rather easy by the unknowing, served up several traps for the complacent, as demonstrated by the lost ball count – 40.
A special mention goes to the Ashford Family, whose team Wrong Direction played impeccably, but were beaten for honours by the handicap system. Elizabeth Ashford, aged 12 and playing off a handicap of 10(!) achieved the longest drive by a lady. Ron Ashford achieved the longest drive by a man, on the tricky dog-legged 7th hole.
Edward Malcolm of Gnashers United achieved the Nearest the Pin prize with a spectacular shot on the short 8th hole, which was as close to a hole in one as it was possible to be.
The Overall Winner was Jon Banfield of the White Horse Wishfulls, which also won the team prize with 50 points. Jon achieved 26 stableford points off a handicap of 28. (Report to the handicap secretary -Ed).
The Claret Jug will now reside in the White Horse until the next competition. Go and check it out, Steve has got some decent beer in.
Second was Lynne Williams of the SLAGS (Sherborne Ladies Amateur Golfing Society, in case you wondered), with 23 points off a handicap of 19. The Sherborne ladies all played impeccably, and came second in the team competition, with 49 points
Third was Steve Penny from Henstridge A with 21 points off a handicap of 18. Henstridge A Team also came third, with 48 points. Steve also collected the lost ball lottery, correctly guessing 40 balls would be lost. Funny, he also walked off with this prize a week earlier at the Henstridge Open.
At the prizegiving at the Half Moon Mark Warren generously bid for the foursome at Woodbury Park. Exeter, kindly donated by Hunts Foodservice..
Many thanks to The White Horse, the Half Moon and Henstridge Golf Club for a very successful day and the best Horsington Open yet.