The Mail on Sunday is an amateur national knock-out competition. It is based on 5 single matches decided by handicap match play over 18 holes and is the first year that Wishaw Ladies have entered. We were drawn against Whittington Heath, Staffordshire in Round One.
The team consisted of Sue Franklin, Kerry Pace, Jayne Proud, Barb Kelsey and Vicki Haden. We played in appalling conditions of strong winds, continuous rain , puddle-soaked fairways and eventually puddle-soaked greens. It was a fiercely fought competition and that did not include who could stay the driest and warmest the longest.
Sue went out first and played against a young girl who plays off 5. Sue did tremendously well to halve the game. Jayne was the next to go out but was beaten on the back nine (6-5). Again against a person with a much lower handicap of 10 and so did extremely well. As so did Kerry, who was third out, losing only by 3-2 following a very close battle . Kerry was having to play off 24 (maximum handicap) so was already two shots down before having to play against a handicap of 11. Barb was out fourth and as the closeness of the handicaps proved (Barb receiving two shots) she managed to win 3-2 after being 3 down at one stage. This left Vicki who volunteered to go out last, as being the fifth player she had to play a sudden-death handicap match if the scores were tied. Vicki won her match 1 up on the 18th and so had to continue, eventually winning for the team on the 20th hole.
You cannot say that we enjoyed the game but we certainly enjoyed the result. Thanks to the ladies at Whittington Heath for their hospitality on a cold and very grey Sunday morning but a huge thanks to the 5 ladies from Wishaw who went out there despite the odds being against them in more ways than one. Roll on Round Two – the girls are up for anything now.
On Sunday 2nd December Josh Hughes and Joe Lawlor are running a Fancy Dress golf competition to raise money for Cancer Research UK. If you wish to take part please contact Josh. A sponsor sheet is available in the Golf Shop for those wishing to make a donation.
The Ladies had success in several national competitions this year. In the NAPGC tournaments, the Ladies won the regional final at Hatchford Brook with both Team A and B competing at the national final at Thornbury. Team A came runners up in the gross and Team B finished runners mup in the nett. In the Ladies Championship Finals at Abbotsley Jayne Proud won the Bronze Division with Sue Franklin coming 3rd in the Silver.
Jayne Proud and Barbara Kelsey got through to the Australian Spoons finals at Kettering, finishing 3rd overall. Sue Franklin and Jayne Proud represented Wishaw in the Daily Mail Foursomes, getting through to the 5th round, knocking out Walmley and Moor Hall along the way. Sue Franklin and Barbara Kelsey will represent Wishaw in the Charles Heeley tournament at Kenilworth later in the year.
A Final Day victory in the Aggregate Event for Ray Hayes & Joe Lawlor gave them the Summer League 2012 Championship. Josh Hughes & Steve Hughes finished runners up with David Blair & Steve Littlewood in third. Congratulations to all the competitors who made this years league such a fun tournament.
Joe Lawlor has already spent his winnings on a new pair of trousers after he split his on the 12th hole!
After winning the Ladies Club Championship on Saturday Sophie followed this up on Monday by winning the 115 year old Ladies Goodyear Cup at Lutterworth Golf Club beating a field of 44 ladies from across 3 midlands counties. Sophie has now dropped her handicap down to 8 (7.5).
Wishaw Golf Academy Coach Alan Partridge was “delighted with Sophie’s achievements and progress”, and was looking forward to seeing her “improve further with more continued hard work”.
Well Done Sophie
The Summer League is nearing a grand finale this week, with the replay of the postponed Aggregate Event 5 being played this wednesday. It promises to be a nail biting end to the tournament with several pairs in with a chance of Summer League glory. Steve and Josh Hughes currently top the table following victory in 3 events so far leaving them just 3 points clear of second placed Ray Hayes & Joe Lawlor. David Blair and Steve Littlewood are a further 3 points behind in 3rd with Mick Green and John Littlewood another 3 points adrift in 4th. Its all to play for!!
Congratulations to our Lady Club Champion Sophie Thompson, who won the tournament with a fantastic gross 83. At only 16 years of age, Sophie has worked hard on her game with Alan Partridge, which has resulted in her handicap tumbling down to 10. Sophie represents the Wishaw Junior Team and plays for the County. Sue Franklin took the Nett title with a score of 76, finishing runner up in the gross as well.
The Mens Club Championship will now be played on Saturday 15th September 2012. Please register your entry for the new date with the Golf Shop.
Ben Stokes and Martin Ashton have hung on to top spot following the event 2 Betterball round. Martin had to play on his own, with Ben having to work, and managed to come 6th on the day with an impressive 36 points off 3/4 handicap. The winners of the event were Steve and Josh Hughes, with Daddy Steve being the main man and doing all the damage. The win means they climb to second in the table a point behind Martin and Ben. Next up is the Event 3 Scramble on wednesday 27th June.
Since the last report the Wishaw Seniors have played another 4 matches, winning all 4 in some style.
Thursday 24th May – Darnford (H)
We won this match by a whitewash, a massive 7 – 0, and every player in the team contributed to a memorable result. This was an extremley hot day, unusual for this summer! The heat, no doubt, contributed to one of the opposition players, Mike Potts, collapsing in the dressing room after the match. I am pleased to report that following hospital treatment, Mike is now fully recovered and eager to resume playing for Darnford.
Thursday 31st May – Calderfields (H)
Mike Bill stood in as Captain for this match which we won 7 – 2. Always a difficult side to play, our team did really well to get this result.
Thursday 7th June – Darnford (A)
Another victory and its always nice to beat the opposition on their home course. An impressive win of 5.5 – 1.5. We were lucky with the weather as the forecast was pretty grim for this day, but we escaped with a light soaking just a few holes from the finish.
Thursday 14th June – Widney Manor (H)
A closely contested match which we won 3.5 – 2.5. Another enjoyable day played in a friendly and competitive atmosphere.
The course at Wishaw is looking extremely good, especially in view of the adverse weather conditions we have experienced lately. Also I would like to compliment the catering staff at Wishaw who have provided us with an excellent service, first class meals and generous portions.
We have played a total of ten inter club matches to date, winning seven and losing three. An impressive performance! The next match is Tuesday 19th June, Calderfields away. Historically, we always have problems playing this course, but you never know, watch this space.
Well Done Wishaw Seniors Team – Keep it up!!
Pete Spencer, Seniors Captain
