Category Championships - another successful day

The Category 2, 3 and 4 championships were held at Taunton Vale Golf Club on Sunday the 8th August with 86 entries; however on the day there was one withdrawal due to injury and two no shows. The field comprised 41 cat 2 players, 34 cat 3 players and 8 cat 4 players. We must make a bigger effort to attract more cat 4 players so if you enjoyed this year make sure you tell your colleagues what agreat day it is. The weather was perfect for golf, not too warm and a little breeze. In addition the greens were soft and receptive and the fairways hard and running so some good scoring was expected from a quality field; a big thank you to the green staff for presenting the course in such good condition.

In cat 2 the early leader was local player dave Chesney with a score of 79 and ably caddied by county stalwart Curtis Edwards. His moment of glory was short lived as Andy Martin of Frome posted a 76 to set the field a challenge. Once again his score was beaten by Kevin Parker of Taunton Vale with a 74 net 67. Leading the challenge for the best net was Peter Clark of Frome also with a net 67 gross 77. With threequarters of the cat 2 players in the Parker was still in the lead and none of the other cat 2 players could catch him, well done Kevin.

In cat 3, playing in the third game out John Martin of Burnham & Berrow set a target of 83 for the others to shoot at. Frank White of Wincanton, playing halfway down the field, posted another 83 beating Martin on a count back to go into the lead where he remained for most of the day. It was left to another Taunton Vale member John Paterson, using his knowledge of the course to overtake the leader with a gross 82. Well done John another 0.3 towards cat 2.

In cat 4, with a disappointing field of only 8 players, first in was Gerry Clark from Frome with a gross 101 hotly followed by John Burns of Wincanton with a 99. This was beaten with the next game in with Robert Richardson from Frome posting a gross 94. Gary Perkins, also from Frome, equalled Richardson's score but had to take second place on a count back. Best net, taking into account that no one could win more than one prize was Ryan Potter of Taunton Vale. Congratulations to Robert and we look forward to seeing you in the cat 3 championship next year.

Many thanks thanks to Taunton Vale for generously allowing us to use their course for one of our major championships, it is much appreciated. Rhys Morgan, vice captain of Taunton Vale Golf Club welcomed everyone and expressed their delight in being asked to stage the Category Championships. Presenting the prizes Somerset Golf Union President, John Perkins, also thanked the greens staff for a very good course and the catering staff for keeping all well fed and watered.

I would like to add my thanks to my team, Elizabeth Sloman who issues, checks and enters the cards in the computer, to Geoff Sloman for helping me out with the starting and to Brian Evans for keeping everyone informed of the scores via the chalk board outside the club house.

Dennis Longden

Competitions Secretary