Hicks' tricks help Sussex seniors beat Hampshire

Dave Hicks, the Bognor club champion who recently won the Sussex seniors’ title, was first off, winning his game 4&2. Sussex went on to win 5½-4½.

Thirty members of Bognor’s veterans’ section took part in the Tregear Trophy, the annual four-club Stableford competition. Last year’s winner, Graham Lucas, won again with 38 points, on countback from Alan Fitzgerald. Third was Barry Ingate with 37.

The veterans lost their away game at Worthing 5½-2½.

Scores: Gary Steventon & Vic Ward won 5&3; R Hedge & B Bennett lost 2 down; C Millett & H Diaper lost 7&6; J Carroll & D Burke won 2 up; D Turner & M Wadley halved; G O’Neill & J King lost 3&2; P Archer & B Baylis lost 7&6, A Bence & T Till lost 8&6.

The veterans returned to winning ways when they recorded an excellent 5-3 at Singing Hills. The team were led by Dennis Burke.

After the first five games, Bognor were 3-2 down but the last three pairs sealed victory.

The teams had just come off the course for lunch when violent storms and lightning occurred.

Scores: D Burke & J Carroll lost 5&4; G Steventon & J Cookson won 3&2; D Burden & B Baylis lost 3&2; J Catt & J Bumfrey won 3&1; P Lott & V Ward lost 1 down; G O’Neill & J Woodhead won 3&1; F Hodder & A Fitzgerald won 2&1; R Braham & C Millett won 1 up.

In the recent Midweek Stableford off the whites, Ken Morgan (hcp 15) won with 41 points on countback from 19-year-old James Ashman playing off one. Michael Turner was third on 38 on countback from Alan Burrage.

The Bognor ladies’ Junior Rose Bowl medal competition had to be cancelled in thunder and lightning. Some 70 ladies had to stop play and come in when the klaxon was sounded.

Another well-supported competition was the Grannies’ Tot.

Results: 1 Georgina McCormack 41pts, 2 Wendy Pettie 36 ocb, 3 Cynthia Hall 36 ocb, 4 Margaret Martin 36 ocb, 5 Pat Fitzgerald 35 ocb. Nearest the pins: 2nd hole - Cathy Kitt; 5th hole - Dianna Crook; 10th hole - Sheila Sargeant.

CHICHESTER

Ladies’ Saturday Stableford (Cathedral course): 1 Helen Ball 28pts; 2 Judy Laycock 25.

Joan Davis Rose Bowl (Tower course): 1 Sang Porter 39pts ocb; 2 Sandi Johnstone 39; 3 Maggie Martin-Prudhomme 38.

COWDRAY PARK

The 36-hole club championship was played over a lovely sunny weekend, and there was a very good entry of 69 playing for the coveted trophy.

After the first round there were at least 12 players in contention but it was the 2010 champion Matt Hall who kept his cool and came through with a two over par 72. He did it the hard way having to birdie the 36th hole to win by one from playing partner and the 2006 champion Lee Dormer. (Matt and Lee are pictured at the top of the article).

In third, only one behind the winner, was Kevin Raisbrook.

Played in conjunction with the club championship, the Bowyer Cup is a handicap competition. The winner was Shaun Pay who recorded two sub-par rounds.

Winner was Shaun Pay with nett 136, runner-up Alec Stoner on 137 and third Dave Barham with 139.

Club captain Chris Dormer hosted his special day, but overlooked ordering the good weather. But wet, windy and chilly conditions didn’t deter a good turnout of 130.

Everyone enjoyed the hospitality and £1,400 was raised for the captain’s charity Macmillan. The best round of the day was achieved by Steve Hyde, who won with 41 points. Second was Ken Kyle (39) and third Shaun Pay, also on 39.

Among the ladies, winner was Marilyn Davis on 37 points, ahead of Margaret Curwood and Polly Davenport, both of whom scored 30.

Various competitions were played in June by the ladies’ section at Cowdray Park.

In the Ping four-ball better-ball, the winners were Sue Brown and Janice Leath with a magnificent score of 46 Stableford points.

In the Syrett Irons, first was Teresa Beresford with 35 points, second Jenny Benson with 32 on countback from third-placed Glenda Luff.

In the Jill Bridger Stableford, winner was Stephanie Bevis with 37 points, ahead of Barbara Parker on 33, on countback from Terry Hughes.

Cowdray Park seniors crossed the Hampshire border to face a strong Blackmoor Vets side. Cowdray were hoping to avenge their only home defeat this season but despite a brave fight from the visitors, the home side hung on to win by the same margin, 4½-3½.

At the halfway stage, Cowdray had a 3½-1½ lead. The last three matches, all starting at 17th hole, all went the way of Blackmooor although match seven gave Cowdray hope of a win – but their hopes were dashed on the final green.

Noteworthy performances from Cowdray players came from Sam Howes, who supported his captain to a 3&1 victory, completing the double over their opponents, something Trevor Edwards and Richard Keep also managed.

Sussex seniors’ champion Dave Hirons, partnered by the in-form Peter Clarke, avenged their home defeat by 2&1.

Results (Cowdray names first): John Doran & Sam Howes beat Bill Lilley & Keith Brown 3&2; Dave Finn & Graham Evans lost to David Frost & Jeff Lee 5&3; Paul Berry & Brian Carpenter halved with Mike White & Clive Richards; Richard Keep & Trevor Edwards beat Martin Bell & Peter Hunt 2&1; Dave Hirons & Peter Clarke beat Andy Matthew & Graham Herbert 2&1; Peter Hampel & Ray Tucker lost to David Elmore & John Morris 4&2; Roy Penrose & Clive Brine lost to Maurice Bonner & Barry Collins 1 dn; Peter Burton & John Stone lost to Stuart Wilson & John Coles 5&4.

AVISFORD PARK

Following their elimination from the Blake Cup, Avisford Park seniors faced further disappointment in their second-round Gilbert Print Plate county knockout match.

They travelled to Holtye Golf Club, where they lost 3-1.

Results (Avisford names first): Rob Bridges & Jimmy Blyth lost to Tom Abbotson & Malcolm Marchant by 1 hole; Peter Collins & Chris Machin lost to Harry Milne & Alan Brooks 4&3; Brian Coughlan & Bill Lock beat Barry Clarke & Derek Willson by 1 hole; David Feist & Norman Turner lost to Chris Wise & George Damper 5&4.