It's a very venerable effort in the Venables

The 55 entrants enjoyed themselves in superb conditions on the Cathedral course for this Stableford contest and a third of the field managed to score par or better. It was crowded at the top with several 39-pointers and three players on 40.

In the end it turned out to be a close contest between last year’s captain and next year’s intended captain with the younger man coming out on top.

Campbell Goldsmid must have thought he’d done enough to win the trophy with 42 points – he even scored par on the notorious fifth hole to score four points.

His only score over par was his last hole, the 18th, where he scored just one point – and he was left to rue this mistake. Nigel Wood had a tremendous round including two significant birdies, one on the 16th and the other on the 13th, which gave him the five points needed to achieve 43 points and win the cup.

The final event of the summer was the Autumn Trophy, a Stableford played on the Tower course.

The course is reckoned to be a few shots easier than the Cathedral but an increasingly-freshening wind made conditions difficult and this was reflected in the scores of the 62 competitors.

Several players scored 38 points but once again it came down to a contest between just two who made 39 points and could be separated only on countback.

John Styles had one no score on his back nine but otherwise played really well recording eight pars and three birdies. His back nine of 17 was not enough as eventual winner George Bell played steadily throughout and his back nine of 20 enabled him to win the coveted trophy whilst at the same time clinching the Order of Merit title for the season .

Chichester’s vets completed their inter-club matches with two significant away fixtures.

The first was against Goodwood on the Downs, where the best team aggregate from the home and away fixtures wins the Jim Robertson Cup.

Following last year’s heavy away defeat there was a much improved performance from the team as they fought back from losing the first two matches to gain a creditable 3-3 draw. But it was not enough to retain the trophy as Goodwood’s excellent victory at Chichester earlier in the year gave them the cup 6½-5½.

A new fixture meant a trip to the Isle of Wight to play Shanklin & Sandown, Chi’s first ‘overseas’ match.

With more than half the team travelling the day before and acquainting themselves with the course it was a surprise to have just half a point from the first three pairings.

The fightback came in the last two matches where Norman Moore and Lawrie Pirie and Chris Penny and Wyndham Halswell both had 4&3 victories to enable the match to be drawn 3-3, exactly the same result as the home fixture.

It was an enjoyable trip and an excellent new fixture for the section .

It has been a successful season for the veterans, chiefly because of the victory in the Cyril Blake County Foursomes.

In addition 32 friendlies have been played with 20 victories, seven drawn matches and just five defeats.

BOGNOR

Bognor seniors held their Fletcher final, a culmination of three previous rounds during the year, where points are awarded for places. The top 40 players are invited to play in the final.

Winner this year with an excellent 43 points was Stuart English, closely followed in second by Ron Stevens with 42. In third was Mike Watts with 40.

Watts’ two excellent scores in one week brought his handicap down from 16 to 12.

Sandown and Shanklin made their annual pilgrimage to Bognor and were beaten 6½-1½. The result was forgotten as both sides enjoyed the after game meal and entertainment.

Results: Gary Steventon & Mike Wadley won 6&4, John Owen & Brian Wolstencroft won 3&2, David Turner & Trevor Till won 3&2, Ron Stevens & Steve King won 2 up, Frank Hodder & Clive Millett lost 4&3, Roger Selway & Rob Walker won 3&1, Barry Vanstone & Bob Young won 1 up, David Chalmers & Barry Appleby lost 6&5.

COWDRAY PARK

Cowdray Park held their Monthly Medal on a fine sunny day.

Winner of division one was Trevor Challen with 67, from Steve Judd on 68. Mark Jasper and Chris Dormer followed with 70 each.

Division two was secured by big-hitting Chris Hutchings with 69, despite losing a ball, ahead of another in-form player, Adam Exall, also with 69. Close on their heels were John Hall and Laurence Potts with 70.

Division three went the way of Andy Marriner with 69, the only player to beat par, from Richard Burden and Greg Burt on 70 apiece.

Following his victory in division two of the club’s Monthly Medal, Chris Hutchings continued his fine form with a stunning score of 44 points in Cowdray seniors’ monthly Stableford – another fine example of howthe seniors’ strength has increased.

Second in division one was Peter Hardcastle with 39 points, including twos on the ninth and 17th, ahead of Mick Colban on countback.

Veteran Terry Jasper continued his comeback from heart problems with an excellent 38 points. Newly-crowned singles champion Gordon Kendall continued his run of good form with 36 points.

Division two was more closely contested, Wally Mitchell edging the verdict on countback with 39 points from Graham Sutton. Big-hitting Philip Singer took third place with 38 points.

Leading scores: Div 1- 44 Chris Hutchings; 39 Peter Hardcastle; Mick Colban; 38 Terry Jasper; 37 Steve Tkaczynski. Div 2 - 39 Wally Mitchell, Graham Sutton; 38 Philip Singer; 36 Dave Darby; 35 Ian Goodall.

The maximum 28 teams of four played in the Cowdray ladies autumn meeting, flocking from across Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex.

The weather began gloomy and drizzly but brightened up and the wind dropped, making it perfect for golf.

This is only the second year this event has been held and once again the unusual format of aces high was enjoyed by everyone.

The loudest round of applause was for the generous supply of cakes and hot drinks supplied by Margaret Curwood and Sally Williams.

The winning score of 121 points was by Lynne MacDonald, Karen Smith, Sandy Flynn and Kim Hart from Copthorne, with the team from Hill Barn in second with 119 points and a team from Puttenham/West Hill were third with 109.

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