Despite an horrendous weather forecast Sunday bloomed with blue skies and sun shine, although a little on the chilly side, some 95 members attended Freshwater Bay Golf Club’s Captains Drive In. Out going Captains Bill Hinchen and Rita smith had the easy job of playing a ball up the 18th fairway whilst the incoming Captains had the unenviable task of trying to hit the renowned 18th green into a blustery wind with out of bound down the right and the green thronged with members. Kevin Garret must have had some inside knowledge to pick up the bottle of scotch for putting his peg nearest to where Club Captain Barry Hunter’s ball would finish, with Ian Andrews collecting a bottle of wine for predicting that Sue Keen, Captain of the Ladies Section, would completely clear the 18th green. Members were treated to mulled wine and a meal after which Club Captain Barry announced that the day had got the Club’s 2009 Charity, EMH Hospice at Home, off to a rousing start of £350. On behalf of the members Vice Captain Chris Tansley thanked the Captain for his hospitality and for organizing such a great start to the year, especially as Chris himself managed to pick up no less than three prizes in the 10 hole stableford including nearest the pin on the 14th.
First prize in the hidden pairs went to Hugh Morrison and Sean Clark returning a commendable 41 points, with John Meredith and John Sexton in second with 39 and Roger Thomas and Chris Tansley scoring 38 to take third spot.
In the singles Tansley improved on his third place in the pairs and picked up first place with 22 points beating Sean Clark into second on count back. John Sexton finished in third place with 20 points holding off Dave Wright, Ryan Harmer and John Veal on tie break.
The mid week stableford on the 14th January saw Frank Ing take first place in Division One scoring 41 points, a single point ahead of Steven Cooke with 40 and Gary Cooke in third on 39 points. Father and son Gary and Steven continue their battle of handicaps with them both being cut to 15.
In Division Two the scoring was not quite so good with Mike Dowsett scoring 36 points off his 18 handicap to pinch first place from Gordon Day off 17 returning 35 and Ray Cooke collecting third place with 32 points.
Saturday’s Division One of the Stableford was ably won by Derek Wright scoring 38 points and reducing his handicap back down to 3. Frank Ing finished in second beating Derek’s younger brother Keith on count back after both players returned 37 points.
In Division Two Gary Cooke stole a march on his handicap race with his son by carding 40 points and getting cut to 14, Mike Black playing off 16 finished in second with 38 points and Dick Leppard third with 36 points off of his 19 Handicap.
