The captain of Market Drayton Golf Club, Derek Clarke, received excellent support from members on Sunday when over 170 golfers turned out for his Captain’s Day competition.
Once again Derek enjoyed good weather in terms of the day not being rain affected – but gale force winds throughout the competition made scoring very difficult, if not impossible, for ordinary mortals.
Despite the conditions, special mention has to be made of Billy Morgan who, off a handicap of three, scored 34 points, the equivalent of 73 gross. A marvellous round in any circumstances but especially so given the weather.
The Captain’s Driver, for the best score of the day for competitors of 18 handicaps or less, was won by A Pinford-Wells with 36 points who just edged Paul Hodson into second place.
Aled Jones won the 19-28 category with 34 points, while Derek Burgess took the senior’s prize with 31 points.
The junior award went to Fred Handley with 37 points, enhancing his reputation as one of the club’s most promising youngsters.
Derek thanked everyone for their support both on the course and at the presentation. His wife, Irene, joined him in presenting the prizes.
Once again Derek praised the green staff for the super condition of the course.
The other big event during the weekend was the Salisbury Hill Cup for men and the Salisbury Hill Salver for the ladies.
These trophies commemorate the opening of the eight new holes on the course around Salisbury Hill in 1988.
It was good to see Mike Kavanagh amongst the prizes because he was captain in 1988, marking a new chapter in the history of the club.
Winners of the Salisbury Hill Cup was the family combination of Geoff Sutton and his son Richard, whose excellent score of 44 points, beat Will Francis and Tony Jay in second place.
The Salisbury Hill Salver was won by the captain’s wife, Irene and Jan Oliver, who beat Maggie Holmes and Jackie Rushgrove on a better back nine score, each having 38 points.
On Saturday evening, members enjoyed a barbecue as part of the celebrations.
Results
Best gross, Billy Morgan.
Best nett 0-12 handicap: 1 Paul Hodson 35 pts; 2 Nicky Morris 33; 3 Will Arthur 32.
Best nett 13-18 h/c: 1 A. Pinfold-Wells 36; 2 Steve Ward 34; 3 Steve Elston 33; 4 Mike Kavanagh 33.
Best nett 19-28 h/c: 1 Aled Jones 34; 2 John Prescott 34; 3 Chris Broad 33.
Best senior: Derek Burgess 31.
Juniors: 1 Fred Handley 37; 2 Mikey Lyons 35; 3 Will Heslop 33.
Nearest the flag: David Elcock; longest drive: Chris Smith.
Salisbury Hill Cup: 1 Geoff and Richard Sutton 44; 2 Will Francis and Tony Jay 42; 3 Mick Bloor and John Wall 41.
Salisbury Hill Salver: 1 Jan Oliver and Irene Clark 38; 2
Maggie Holmes and Jackie Rushgrove 38.
