War Memorial Trophy

In almost hurricane conditions good scores were going to be at a premium in the War Memorial Trophy at Burnham & Berrow. All competitors held Category 1 handicaps with several with plus handicaps but no one managed to shoot two rounds in the 70s. Somerset Golf Union first team regular Laurie Canter from Saltford must have been amazed to find his 80 the lowest score of the round. Hot on his heels was Burnham member Justin Lane with an 81 and a further six players no more than three shots adrift. Matt Kippen, winner of this year’s Burnham Salver, Enmore Stag, Championship of Bath and the Hawkins Trophy was lurking ominously just two shots off the lead.

Several players shot a 77 in the afternoon including Matt Kippen whose 159 total looked at one stage to be a winning score. Justin Lane could only manage an 84 giving him a 165 total and gradually all the players in contention after the first round were slipping out of the frame. Canter managed to hold his game together in the trying conditions and his 78 gave him a total of 158 beating Matt Kippen by one shot.