Lifetime best for Lee at Cowdray ... Bognor veteran have a new leader

Cowdray Park seniors finally played the first round of their four-round Captain’s Prize.

It’s a stableford in which players are paired off in each round and their combined scores count on the day, with each individual carrying forward his own score.

The overall winner will be the player with the best total from three of four rounds.

After a heavy overnight frost the early starters faced white fairways and a cold atmosphere, reducing the distance of the shots.

The winner, by a wide margin, was 26-handicapper John Lee, who recorded an astonishing 48 points despite having failed to register any points on the first hole.

This was a lifetime best for Lee and none of the seniors could remember a score approaching that figure in a competition. His handicap has been cut to 21 as a result, and this will make life more difficult for him in future competitions.

In partnership with him was Terry Jasper (26 points) and together they clinched the day’s first prize.

Second place went to Jan de Vries (37) and John Newman (34) with 71 points and third came Tony Morrison (33) and Steve Tcaczynski (37) with 70.

Individual leaders after the first round are Lee (48) and Dave Lucking and Gordon Kendall (40), while ex-captain Wally Mitchell put in another impressive display with 38.

The event was meticulously organised, as are other club competitions, by Dave Hirons.

BOGNOR

At the recent Bognor Regis GC veterans’ annual meeting, John Owen took over as captain from Gary Steventon.

Following their most successful season last year, when they won 22 matches, halved four and lost only ten, the veterans are looking forward to the coming season.

Again there will be 36 matches against 18 clubs in Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Despite the inclement weather the winter fixtures are still being played.

The away game against Rowlands Castle was won 5-3.

Scores: Clive Millett & Trevor Till won 7&5; G Steventon & B Bennett won 3&2, R Hedge & M Wilson won 4&2, J Owen & J Woodhead halved, F Hodder & J Cookson halved, J Catt & J King lost 5&3, D Turner & V Ward lost 4&3, R Selway & H Diaper won 2 up.