The course at Wrexham, like the majority at this time of year is showing evidence of activity as the green staff get down to the winter tasks such as re-levelling and extending tees and extensive tining for aereation purposes on the greens.
Last Saturday was the occasion of the December Medal for the gentlemen players, but the white boxes and limited run on the ball meant that the advantage lay with the more powerful hitters who could carry the ball greater distances from the tee.
Played through four handicap divisions, the first division was won by Mark Antony Williams who handed in 77 – 7 – 70, beating Graham Williams on the back nine holes in lieu of his identical numbers and handicap. Third place went to Dewi Sides with 76 – 6 – 70 and he in turn was followed by Tony Phillips with 75 – 5 – 70.
The event was set against a Competition Scratch Score of 71 which brought the handicap buffer zone for no change to handicaps to 73.
Often the recipient of gentle teasing in the club for his considerable successes in team and pairs events, R Paul Williams more than justified his good golf by returning 78 – 11 – 67 to win the second division by no less that four strokes from Paul Graham Roberts on 80 – 9 – 71. Third place by dint of a back nine holes scrutiny went to Chris Hughes with identical numbers yet again, with Wayne Jones in fourth place with 84 – 12 – 72.
Nick Verburg eased his way to the top in the third division by scoring a very creditable 82 – 15 – 67 to beat Darren Wood, 85 – 17 – 68, by a single shot. Carl Jiones was in third place with 88 – 18 – 70 with Ron Bellis fourth on 83 – 13 – 70
Fresh from his success in the Mixed Christmas Fayre event when playing with his wife Jane, Alan Prandle handed in 88 – 19 – 69 to win the fourth group from Keith Fox on 92 – 19 – 73 and, in turn, Mike Jones on 95 – 21 – 74. Mike Smith was in fourth position with his offering of 96 – 21 – 75.
Wednesday’s Stableford competition again produced a Competition Scratch score of 71 and was repeated in its format by play taking place through the customary four handicap groups.
Winner of the first group was Andrew Shaunessey with 37 points off 5 handicap. He was followed closely by Chris Marsden on 36 points off a handicap of three. Allan Merrill secured third place with 35 points with Kevin John Matthias fourth with 33.
Andrew Harrington succeeded in raising 39 points out of his game to win division two from second placed Mike Norton on 35, and Alan Scarratt in third place with 33. The fourth place on this occasion went to Adrian Maddocks with 31.
Division three witnessed a win for Richard Stapley on 37 points with Steve McKevitt second with 34. Phil Miller put his new irons to good use by taking the third place wirh 33 followed by John Davies whose 33 was adequate for fourth spot.
Richard Derosa submitted the only 40 point card of the day by winning the
fourth division from Mike Fellowes on 35, Brian Leach on the same figures, and Mike Smith doing exactly the same for fourth place.
The Denbighshire Golfing Union held its annual general meeting last Wednesday evening at Denbigh golf club and were pleased to welcome to the meeting Mr Ted Lloyd, President of the Golf Union of Wales.
Following various reports on the play during the year, the formal presentation commenced by recognising Rhodri Fieldhouse, nineteen year old Wrexham golf club member, who won the Junior merit award and the County Scratch Championships.
The Junior League Shield went to Clays golf club and the DGU merit award for mots points gained in inter county matches to Mark Jones of the Vale of Llangollen golf club.
The Inter Club League division one went to Denbigh golf club who last year won division two, and the previous year won division three. This year the second division was won by Clays with Plassey taking the third division.
Steven Mays and Stuart McKellar of Rhos on Sea won the Jubilee Plate and thanked the
Union for the high degree of organization that they enjoyed in the semi finals and final.
Union President
Eric Howells of Denbigh golf club was congratulated into his second year of a two year term of Office, and the new DGU Captain, Tony Harcombe of Clays Golf Club was unanimously endorsed by the meeting upon the retirement of
Chris Roberts of Wrexham who had enjoyed a particularly successful year of office.
The Vice captain of the
Union for 2010 is Terry Dodd of Chirk golf and Country club.
The following officers have agreed to continue in Office by unanimous approval starting with County Secretary David Ethelston of Llangollen; Treasurer, Martin Edwards of Denbigh golf club; County Team Manager, Iain Hayes of Rhos on Sea; Junior and Youth organizer, Bruce Carlyle of Abergele, and Junior team manager Janice Langdon of Abergele also.
I was in turn honoured and privileged to receive Life Vice Presidency of the Union for what appears to be thirty five years of involvement in the inter club and individual competitions and championships between 1974 and the present day. My gratitude to the member clubs for this accolade and to the Executive for the proposition.
Jim Johnson