Cowdray Park seniors do the double over Littlehampton

Conditions at the links course were strangely benign, and with firm fairways, the ball travelled long distances.

The strong Cowdray team took full advantage and, despite an early setback for match manager Rob Doney and Dave Tilley, two closely-fought matches resulted in halves.

The powerful pairing of John Doran and seniors’ captain Peter Burton levelled matters, winning 4&3. A similar score was achieved by Dave Wickham and Sam Howes.

Cowdray clinched victory with two wide-margin wins from Graham Evans and George Crouch (7&6) and Ken Marjoram and Barry Overington (6&4).

Results (Cowdray names first): Rob Doney & Dave Tilley lost to John Brindley & Gareth Jones 2 dn; Paul Berry & Dave Imlach halved with Graham Robinson & Rene Maby; Alan Godfree & Brian Carpenter halved with Richard James & Roger Johnson; John Doran & Peter Burton beat John Edwards & DJ Brown 4&3; Dave Wickham & Sam Howes beat Phil Lickorish & Tony Falkingham 4&3; John Newman & Roger Poat lost to John Miller & Mike Phelps 1 dn; Graham Evans & George Crouch beat Roly Steele & Tony Tiernan 7&6; Ken Marjoram & Barry Overington beat Fred Steines & David Taylor 6&4.

Seven days later, Cowdray seniors welcomed Littlehampton for the return match to their undulating downland course.

Cowdray built on the away win with a 7-1 triumph. The pairings remained as from the first match, but the early results this time, went heavily in favour of Cowdray Park with match manager Rob Doney and Dave Tilley setting the pace with a 3&2 win.

Three Cowdray pairs improved on their result from the away game, with the outstanding result Alan Godfree and Brian Carpenter’s 7&6 win.

The final three matches, starting at 17th tee, all yielded wins for the home side.

Results: Rob Doney & Dave Tilley beat John Brindley & Ron Wilkins 3&2; Paul Berry & Dave Imlach beat Graham Robinson & Rene Maby 4&3; Alan Godfree & Brian Carpenter beat Richard James & Roger Johnson 7&6; John Doran & Peter Burton beat John Edwards & DJ Brown 5&4; Dave Wickham & Sam Howes lost to Phil Lickorish & Tony Falkingham 3&2; John Newman & Roger Poat beat John Miller & Mike Phelps 4&3; Graham Evans & George Crouch beat Roly Steele & Tony Tiernan 2 up; Ken Marjoram & Barry Overington beat Fred Stienes & David Taylor 6&4.

Cowdray seniors travelled to Bramley to meet a side who had proved a bogey team in the past. So it proved again as the strong home team ran out 5½-2½ winners.

Two early heavy victories gave the home side an early advantage which they extended to 3-0.

Cowdray’s initial success came from Alistair Proctor and Dave Imlach, who triumphed 3&2, to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

That hope was soon dashed although 1½ points came from the three matches starting on 17th tee, to give the match a more reasonable look.

Winners by 2&1 were Rob Doney and Mike Holden, while the half was earned by the final pair of Keith Barker and David Heard against tough opponents.

Results: Roger Poat & Alan Robinson lost to Mike Whitaker & Barry Elliott 5&3; Ian Heustice & Ian Goodall lost to Herbie Chappell 4&3; Mike Hancock & Ray Tucker lost to Colin Masters & Tony Moorey 1 dn; Alistair Proctor & Dave Imlach beat Don Flack & Peter Hammersley 3&2; Derek Smith & John Friend lost to Terry Newman & Geoff Isenman 4&3; John Start & Maurice Watts lost to Keith Perrin & Mike Burnham 2 dn; Rob Doney & Mike Holden beat Mike Sheridan & Vic Baird 2&1; Keith Barker & David Heard halved with Frank Mangan & Tony Lake.

Cowdray seniors’ home game against Corhampton was abandoned because of heavy rain.

BOGNOR

The annual veterans’ Captain’s Prize Day commenced with an early shotgun start under threatening skies, but thankfully the round was completed in sunny conditions.

After a bangers and mash lunch enjoyed by the 63 players, the heavens opened. Vets’ captain John Owen thanked the players for their support.

Prizes were presented to all winners, with the overall prize going to Ron Harris-Shaw with 44 points. Ron has only recently returned to the club. He is pictured above receiving his prize.

Division-one winner was Peter Lott with 42, second was Graham Lucas with 41 and third David Burden on 39.

In division two, winner was David Lewis-Bowen with 40, second Jim Morris with 39 and third Brian Lewis (38). Nearest the pin on holes two and ten was Peter Lott, Bob Weeks won it on the fifth and David Lewis-Bowen on the 15th. Longest drive on the eighth came from Mike Oates and nearest in two on the 14th was Ron Harris-Shaw.

The Eustace Fletcher Veterans’ Inter Club Trophy is contested annually by teams of six from Ham Manor, Littlehampton and Bognor. This year it was played at Littlehampton.

Bognor were the holders but after another close contest, Ham Manor won with 162 points with Littlehampton and Bognor both on 158.

For Bognor, Richard Hedge and Trevor Till achieved 40 points, as did Frank Hodder and Peter Barker, followed by Gary Steventon and Bryan Kingswell with 39, the same as John Owen and Dennis Burke. The other members of the Bognor team were Jim Barker, Andy Bence, Clive Millett and Tony Wells.

The veterans completed the double against Selsey, winning the home match 5½-2½ – Peter Collins played his first match since major surgery six months ago and was back to his old self.

Scores: John King & Trevor Till won 6&4; R Hedge & A Fitzgerald won 3&2, J Carroll & B Ingate won 4&3, V Ward & J Barker won 3&1, H Diaper & H Hurley won 1 up, F Hodder & D Burke halved, P Collins & B Baylis lost 3&2, D Turner & D Sheath lost 5&4.

Some 25 took part in Bognor’s vets’ midweek Stableford. The winner with 42 points was Dennis Smith. Gee Fenwick was second on 41, Ron Harris-Shaw came third on 40, on countback from Gerry O’Neill and Doug Hamlett.

Forty one Bognor ladies entered the Medal Final and LGU Pendant. Winner on both counts was Nicki Vincent.

Results: Silver: Nicki Vincent 68 nett ocb, Caroline Pilbeam 68, Wendy Johnson 69, Jan Ostrom 70 ocb. Bronze A: Lara Johnson 73 ocb, Doris Thomas 73 ocb, Wendy Pettie 73. Bronze B: Jan Finch 80 ocb, Yvonne Potter 80.

AVISFORD PARK

In the club Stableford the winner with 42 points was Danny Carter in division one and in division two it was Jayson Walker with 44. The ladies’ Stableford winner was Jayne Hardwell with 34.

The senior Stableford winners were David Feist in division one with 39 and John Hayes in division two with 42.

The midweek medal was won by Mark Walden with a nett 68. On Saturday in the Stableford, Hugh Hooper notched a superb score of 40 points.