Wet and wild conditions ensured that only a handful of the 123 golfers managed to play to par or better as Spalding staged their first competition of the year.
The maiden monthly medal got the season under way, and after playing off the forward yellow tees throughout the winter months, moving back to the competition tees was certainly a shock to the system for most, with 39 players failing to register their score
Peter West (82-14=68) was certainly an exception to that rule, winning the 0-14 handicap category with a nett 68 – and he earned himself a handicap reduction to 12 and has now seen his handicap drop from 25 to 12 since the March medal of last year.
In second place was Andy Grimwood (71-2=69) with a nett 69. He was also lowest gross score winner with a superb 71.
Adrian George (82-11=71) took third spot with a nett 71, with both these players having their handicap cut by one.
Other leading scores in this category were: 72 – Oliver Mitchell; 74 – Lawrie Haley, Garry Harrison, Andy Warnes, Adrian Sibley; 75 – Ian Starr, Mark Jones.
Chris Dring (86-17=69) won the 15-28 handicap category with a nett 69 along with the lowest gross score prize with his 86, one stroke better than Joe Slater (88-18=70) carding a nett 70. Greg Baylis (92-20=72) took third spot with a nett 72, with all three receiving handicap reductions.
Other leading scores came from: 74 – Simon Ward, Greg Wright, Philip Smith, Darrel Cross. 75 – Lester Pybus, Graham Booth, Calum Walker.
• Spalding skipper Neil Knighton and his vice-captain Peter Bridge are both looking forward to the new playing season, which includes a full programme of competitions and social events for all members.
SUTTON BRIDGE GOLF CLUB
Margaret Fox and Karen Gillett won Sutton Bridge Golf Club’s Fleur De Lys Trophy by a solitary shot.
They scored 34 points in the ladies’ section event, edging Jenny Wells and Jen Baines (33 points) into second.
Janet Groves and Judy Green (31 points) were third.
• Sutton Bridge’s senior team enjoyed a 5-3 home win over their counterparts from Ramsey.
• Result: Sutton Bridge 5 Ramsey 3 (Roger Williamson (captain) & Richard Titchener halved; Roy Amos & Charlie Waling halved; John Cross & Norman; Davis won 3 &2; Harold Shingleton & Noel Clare halved; Roy Fox & Mervyn Williamson halved; Peter Wailes & David Matthews won 5&3).
TYDD ST GILES GOLF CLUB
• Results: Men’s section: March Medal: Division One – 1st Garry Fitzjohn 81-11=70; 2nd Mark Gedge 83-10=73; 3rd George Pawson 84-10=74. D2 – 1st Derek Hodgson 81-13=68; 2nd Stewart Van Dyke 83-14=69; 3rd Andy Burt 83-13=70. D3 – 1st Paul Seaman 86-19=67; 2nd Peter Brazil 92-19=73; 3rd David Abram 93-20=73.
• Seniors’ section: Strokeplay Voucher competition: Division One – Lee Smith 83-13=70; 2nd Tom Jolly 86-14=72; 3rd Brian Newby 86-13=73. D2 – Del Marsh 88-18=70; 2nd Richard Martin 89-18=71; 3rd Alex McKinnon 90-19=71. D3 – 1st Brian Knights 91-23=68; 2nd Phil Martin 92-23=69; 3rd Richard Talbot 91-22=69. D4 – 1st Anthony Petch 92-24=68; 2nd Tony Illsey 98-27=71; 3rd Geoff Chappell 100-27=73.
GEDNEY HILL GOLF CLUB
• Ladies’ section: Mail on Sunday – Sutton Bridge 4 Boston 1 (Linda Searle won 1 up, Margaret Fox lost, Jill McEwan lost, Jenny Wells lost, Jeannette McEwan lost).