The 2015 Horsington Open – the third competition in this series – was the biggest and best yet. 42 golfers of varying abilities took part for fun and charity at Henstridge Golf Club on Friday 23rd October, enjoying a good day’s sport, making new friends and raising a grand total of £607 for the St Margaret’s Hospice charity. AND it didn’t rain.
The competition was won by the narrowest of margins by Tony Brodie from Henstridge, coincidentally the oldest player. Henstridge also won the team event, again by the narrowest margin. But why not? After all it’s their home course, and some of them play virtually every day.
Horsington’s golfers performed extremely well. John Macdonald came a close second, beating David Blake, George Wagland and Peter Gripper by a tiny margin. George Wagland, John Macdonald and Richard Gaunt all improved their scores considerably over last year, and Paul Mann won the “Nearest the pin” competition on the 8th hole. Sadly Chris Bailward, playing for the first time for many years, was pipped for the “Putt of the day” competition, putting from off the green on the 8th, having tonked his previous two balls into the lake. He was beaten by Henstridge’s Mike Baker, who putted off green for a birdie. (No I don’t understand either- Ed)
The Half Mooners team, led by landlord Andrew Tarling were in the frame to win the team competition but failed due to what was described as, ahem, “putting failure” by the , er, ahem, team captain.
The competition was so close that the scorers had to take into account performance on the last six, and then the last 3 holes to decide a winner. There were 7 players contending for the first 3 places with 3 points between them. This may be a testimony to the accuracy of the handicapper or the skill of the players. Or maybe the organisers need to look more closely at the handicaps.
A special mention should be made of the Foresters team, of Joan Palmer, Bob Foot, Joy Crabb and Kath Rolls. These brave souls had never been on a golf course in their lives, and although they came last, it was no humiliation, and we observed them executing several spectacular cover drives. The cricket club secretary has been informed and will no doubt be recruiting them next year.
Anthony Yateman, another golfer making his debut (he claims), won the best dressed golfer award, resplendent in plus fours and a bow tie. We hope competitors will take note for next year.
The amount raised for charity was far in excess of previous efforts, helped by the generous donation of a foursome at the championship golf course at Woodbury Park, Exeter by Hunts Foodservice Ltd. This was auctioned at the prize giving, with Howard Bentley-Marchant from Yenston providing the winning bid of £110.
Thanks to everyone who took part, donated, catered, scored or bid – see you again next year.
Photographs (Click on a picture to see full size)
Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd at Shaftesbury Arts Centre is an electrifying coup de theatre which should not be missed.
