Cowdray Park Ham it up on their own Manor

COWDRAY PARK

In bright sunshine and with firm fairways, high scoring was always going to be the order of the day when Cowdray Park seniors entertained Waterlooville in the second match of the season.

Following their 8-0 victory over Ham Manor, the home side continued their exhilerating start to the season with a 7-1 win.

Some large-margin wins highlighted the excellent form of the home players with a couple of outstanding individual performances. Dave Hirons (seven handicap) scored four birdies and, despite having to concede a number of shots to the visiting players, Dave and partner John Newman prevailed by 6&5.

An innovation for this match was a prize for nearest the pin on the par-three ninth, won by Dave Hazle (Waterlooville).

Results (Cowdray names first): Trevor Edwards & Chris Hoare beat Colin Bentley & Tony Grenfell 4&2; Derek Smith & Keith Chapman beat Geoff Ward & Dave Toller 4&2; John Doran & Gerry Bowles beat Dave Hazle & John Day 2&1; Dave Lucking & Ken Newberry beat Roger Ellard & David Hughes 3&2; Dave Hirons & John Newman beat John Sullivan & Barry Fairingside 6&5; Mike King & Ray Tucker beat Derrick Howitt & Roger Bannister 7&5; Mel Milburn & Phillip Singer beat Brian Humphreys & Cyril White 4&3; Tony Morrison & Barry Overington lost to John Oliver & Syd Martin 1 down.

The seniors played their third match in a week when they entertained Cottesmore Vets, hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

With an unpromising start weather-wise, gale-force winds and constant drizzle, the early results for Cowdray Park matched the weather, and, by halfway they found themselves 3½-½ down.

The only bright spot had come from match manager Bill Brownlee and Mike Pratt who managed a half in the opening match.

As the bad weather abated, the home team’s fortunes improved and the results turned in their favour. They won all of the next four matches to win 4½-3½.

The final match, which clinched victory, came following a superb display from the home pair of Ken Marjoram and Mel Milburn, who overcame their opponents 6&4 despite conceding numerous shots.

Results (Cowdray names first): Bill Brownlee & Mike Pratt halved with Ray Maltby & Ron Vance; Chris Hoare & Derek Smith lost to Phil Hodson & John Eastland 3&2; John Start & Gary Strowbridge lost to Ken Turnbull & Geoff Mitchell 1dn; Mike Hancock & Jim Booth lost to Trevor Wiramanaden & Chas Reid 3&2; Wally Mitchell & Roy Penrose beat Sam Bilcliff & Bob Imrie 3&2; Keith Chapman & David Imlach beat Paddy Dowzer & Ghyll Morley 3&2; Graham Evans & Rex Woods beat Jack Mapplebeck & Clive Weller 5&4; Ken Marjoram & Mel Milburn beat Bryan Giddings & Bill Bailey 6&4.

BOGNOR

A total of 54 members took part in the first men’s medal of the season at Bognor.

The winner, from division three, was Vick Vincent with a nett score of 65. Second, also from division three, was Adrian Smith on 67. Ian Stoneham, of division one, was third on 68, with Alan Burrage from the same division fourth, also on 68. Peter Stoneham (div one) was fifth on 69 on countback from Bob Wilson. Seventh, also on 69, was Mike Hornby (div three).

There were 32 entrants for the midweek stableford off the white tees. Tony Notaro, who has recently joined from Littlehampton GC, was the winner with 39 points. Mike Oates was second on 36.

A total of 17 took part in the midweek stableford off the yellow tees. Denis Smith won with 41 points, Tony Headon was second with 38 and Ray Proctor third with 37.

The juniors held a medal and stableford. Ryan Breach won the medal with a nett 77 ahead of Tom Stoneham with 80.

Jake Stoneham, who is just nine years old and playing off 34, won the stableford with an excellent score of 40 points. George Bingham, aged 12, was second with 35 points.

AVISFORD PARK

A stableford was held to celebrate the birth of Carl Corbin’s daughter. Winner was Stephen Porter with 40 points, ahead of Brett Marchant in second with 37 and Wilson Sharpe, third with 37.

The nearest the pins were won by Stephen Porter on the second, Russell Evershed on the 13th, Nick Nolan on the 14th, Vinny Lampitt on the 15th and Martin Gill on the 18th. Longest drive was won by Carl Corbin.

Blind pairs winners were Stephen Porter and Mick Darling and the six-hole accumulator was won by George Stillwell and Brian Jeffries.

The club stableford was won in division one by Mick Mills with 41 points and in division two by Bola Akinola with 44.

The midweek stableford was won by Rob Baker with 38 points. The senior stableford was won in division one by Brian Coughlan with 38 and in division two by Graham Williams with 42.