Pairs Better Ball

Wells pair win Better ball title

After excellent work from the green keeping staff had mede the course playable after torrential rain the previous day, Wells Captain Andy Williams started 28 pairs in the County Better ball pairs tournament.

This competition has been introduced this year and the committee were pleased with the level of entry with 16 different clubs represented in the field.

Early leaders with 40 points were the local pairing of Ian Burr and Mark Western. Andrew Flagg (Fosseway) and Ben Josham (Orchardleigh) came close to challenging for the top place with 39 points. That score was equalled by Andrew Evaans (Enmore Park) and his partner Matt Cridland (Cannington).

Keiran and Nigel Babbage from Saltford also equalled it but it was their playing partners Matt and Richard Kippen from Enmore Park who returned 42 points to gain the lead. With just one group still on the course, they did not have long to wait to find out the result of the day.

County Captain Phil White and his partner Simon Lord (Wells) also came in with 39 but the other pair in the group, Mike Metcalfe and Martin Barnes (Wells) shot 42 points to tie the lead and require the event to be decided on countback. This was close and went down to being decided on the final 3 holes with Metcalfe and Barnes taking it.

Somerset Golf Union Chairman Nigel Long presented the prizes and thanked the club for hosting the event and the greenkeeping staff for making the course playable in such difficult circumstances.

Brian Barnes and Mike Metcalfe - Pairs Champions 2012