Hello golfers,

As I write this newsletter The Open Championship is underway and what a fantastic four days we have in store as the best players battle Royal Troon and the elements. If I were a betting man, which I'm not my as Dad has always said to me "it takes too long to blooming earn", I think I would be going for Dustin Johnson to win as his form at the moment is amazing and maybe keep an eye out for Chris Wood, if he recovers from his neck injury to play, who is in form after winning the BMW PGA and has a great Open record! Click here to see the draw for our Open Sweepstake. I hope you haven't drawn either of those two as my tips do have a record of failing miserably, another reason why I don't gamble!

 

Mid-week Stableford

Ok on to competition news and we'll start with last Thursday's Mid-week Stableford and a fantastic victory in Division One for Captain Mannering, Barry Manser, with a superb 44 points. Like Andy last week, Barry had a lesson a couple of months ago as he was really struggling with his game, but over the last couple of months he could gradually feel his game turning around which culminated in last Thursday's score, well done Barry! Tony Cater came second with 41 points. In Division Two Jim Scott also had a fabulous 44 points to win, with Douglas Hogg second on 42 points.

Roll-up Stableford

On Saturday we had a men's Roll-up Stableford with Jamie Gough beating his son Brendan and Ian Harbord on countback, all with 38 points, to claim the spoils.

Monthly Medal

On Sunday we had the Men's Monthly Medal with Matt Alp winning Division One with a nett 68, Andy Dyson winning Division Two with a nett 67 and Marcus Mason winning Division Three with a nett 68.

President's Mashie

Chris Duffy came so close to bringing the President's Mashie back to Gorleston at the weekend after he made the final of this year's matchplay tournament held at Aldeburgh last weekend. Three qualifiers - defending Champion Danny Western, Danny Perring and Chris had booked their places in the 16 man field following last month's County Championship and their campaigns began on Saturday morning. Danny Perring lost out, defeated by Alex Taylor by one hole, while Danny Western beat George Fricker by the same margin. Chris Duffy, in the top half of the draw, beat Jack Forgan by 3&2 and booked his place in the Sunday semi-final match by defeating Jamie Jones in a tense match that ended on the 21st hole. Danny's dreams of a successful defence came to an end as he lost by 2&1 to Luke Thompson. Returning for the semi-final on Sunday morning, Chris hammered Guy Mummery by 6&5, while Luke Thompson beat Alex Taylor by 2&1. The final was close, with Chris clinging to a one hole lead at the turn, but Luke took 10, 11 and 12 to build a two holes lead that became too much of a hurdle for Chris and despite winning the 17th to keep the match alive, Luke won the last to complete a two holes victory and takes the President's Mashie back to Rookery Park.

 

President's Day

The ladies section has been busy over the last week and last Wednesday, 6 July 28 players enjoyed Ladies' President Thelma Evans' first President's Day and were treated to an excellent afternoon of weather. The format for the competition was 'Four Clubs and a Putter' and with five prizes on offer, the competition was fierce. Jackie Walsh came out on top, recording her second cup win in seven days to add the Rose Bowl to the earlier Peggy Norton Trophy victory. 

Also the very much in-form Linda Jones, who had teamed up with husband Roy to win the Club President's afternoon prize only three days earlier and Jackie only narrowly won the countback after the pair had tied on 34 points. Ladies' Vice-Captain Vonnie Thornton came third after returning 32 points. Following the competition, Thelma hosted a dinner for the players and other guests to round off a memorable day.

Ladies Charity Open

Yesterday, Wednesday, Ladies' Captain Sue Lyndon and a whole team of volunteers welcomed 96 players in 24 teams of four to yesterday's Ladies Charity Open at Gorleston. 22 of the teams were visitors, with only two home teams competing which removed the need for 'home and away' prize categories. Instead, the first five teams got prizes irrespective of home or visitor. The Sprowston Manor team of Linda Kerry, Shelley Hamilton, Norma Perks and Doreen Simpson took the main prize very easily finishing five points clear of their nearest rivals with 96 points. The Gorleston team of Heather Harvey, Jackie Walsh, Sue Smith and June Elliot took second after a countback on 91 points. On the day £379 was raised from a raffle which will be donated to the East Coast Hospice Appeal (Sue's chosen charity).

Weston Plate

The ladies have also managed to squeeze in a Weston Plate match this week. The Gorleston team Captained by Anne Amos, welcomed their counterparts from Woodbridge yesterday for the third of the five match league season in this year's Weston Plate. Following their 5 - 0 drubbing at the hands of Felixstowe in the last match, the team knew that Woodbridge were equally strong. However, Chris Knappett played exceptionally well in the first of the five games to record a victory by 6&5, but defeats for Anne Amos (4&3) and Penny Platten (1 down) left the match in the hands of Woodbridge. Jackie Walsh restored the balance in the fourth game with a 5&3 win, but Maureen Dark was falling behind in the last game, eventually losing by 5&3. Woodbridge returned home with a 3 - 2 win. Our team will now have to quickly regroup as they prepare to face Rushmere in the fourth match this Friday at home with the games beginning at 11am.