Hello golfers,

Welcome to another edition of your pro shop weekly newsletter with all the latest news and gossip from Wells Golf Club.

Enjoy this week's read.

Seniors' Team News

A very good week for Wells Seniors brought two excellent wins against stiff competition. In a home match they achieved a comprehensive 5.5 to 1.5 success when entertaining Bristol and Clifton, thanks to pairings of Steve Rowse and John Moxon, Glyn Hallett and Andrew Boatswain, Allan Bancroft and Stuart Mann, Peter Leverick and Ron Hancock and Nick Wilson and Dave Couzens. Ken Ford and Ian McArthur did well to get a half. Two days later, away at Worlebury, the team won by 4 matches to 2 with Richard Sheard and Len Sweales, Dave Gibbon and George White, Peter Leverick and Len Willis and Nick Wilson and Ron Hancock all succeeding admirably.

Wells Bristol and District League

Wells Men’s B&D Team played at Tracy Park this week. The very strong pairing of Alan Todd and Tim Harris led the Wells quest for a first away win. They controlled the game against good opposition and halved their match. Pascal Norman and Chris Betenson fought back from behind to achieve a very creditable half and keep the scores level. Charlie Lewis and Nick Wilson succumbed 4&3 to give Tracy Park a lead. Glen Crocker and Mike Metcalfe refound their old form to come out convincing winners 6&5 and squared the match. Sam Todd and Simon Jackson found strong opposition and consequently Wells lost the match 3 - 2.

The next match was against The Bristol at home. Rich Connock and Sam Todd fought a valiant match which went down the 18th with them losing one down. Will Thompson and Jack Baillie, a new partnership, gelled to win comfortably 7&5. Pascal Norman and Chris Betenson strolled to a 6&5 victory while Glen Crocker and Mike Metcalfe won 4&3. Finally, Alan Todd and Tim Harris trounced their opponents with a 9&8 win giving Wells a surprise victory.

Ladies Team News

The Ladies King Castle Cup was played in changeable conditions with Sue Slade winning comfortably with 33 points after showing her prowess around the greens. Just three clubs and a putter are used for the competition. Cath Levell was second with 30 points and Kathy Lane was third with 28 points.

Wells Stragglers Team News

The Stragglers played away at Dawlish Warren accompanied by steam train whistles. The team result was a loss 4.5 - 1.5. John Baker and Phil Kenworthy, John Hockey and Bill Levell and Terry Searle and Bernard Young all halved. Terry Pearce and Steve Heath, Adam Holiday and Geoff Ead, Richard Mansfield all Craig McConnell lost.

Tweedale Medal

Last Saturday saw the staging of Augusts Tweedale Medal. The day attracted a fantastic field with 87 players taking part, despite some chilly winds at time the weather was mostly better than what we have experienced in recent weeks. The course was presented in fantastic condition, leaving the players with plenty opportunities to score well, however the day did not produce very many low numbers as many found the scoring quite tricky. The results are as follows:

Division One - First place - T. Taylor - Nett 69 (£30), second place - T. Clark - Nett 71 (£15) and in third place - P. Leonard - Nett 71 (£7.50).

Division Two - First place - D. Cunningham - Nett 71 (£42), second place - J. Beasley - Nett 73 (£21) and in third place - A. Holliday - Nett 74 (£10.50).

Division Three - First place - R. Meek - Nett 73 (£31.20), second place - K. Scadden - Nett 74 (£15.60) and in third place -  T. Gooch - Nett 75 (£7.80).

Twos - £11.60 - Phil Slater x2 , M. Metcalfe, S. Austwick, P. Leonard, G. Nutt, T. Taylor, D. Cunningham, J. Hockey, R. Sheard, T. Roberts, T. Gooch and L. Harvey. A big well done to Ian McArthur who had a hole-in-one!

New 12 Hole Initiative

Younger players struggle to find the time for 18 holes, whilst the more senior players find the physical demands and the wet winter weather, limits them to one or less games a week. To meet this challenge the club are having 12 hole score cards printed this month which are CONGU compliant and will count for handicap purposes, enabling members to finish at the 12th hole in around two and a half hours. In due course we hope to be introducing 12 hole comps/cups so members will now have a choice of 18 hole or 12 hole rounds of golf... It's your choice.

To help promote this initiative, our main sponsors Montana Wealth Management, are kicking us off with a Men's Trophy Competition, followed by buffet and wine tasting session. This is to be held mid-week, following the working day, to specifically attract the working members, but you will need to sign-up in advance as its limited by a draw for 36 players (Three ball shotgun start).

Montana are part of the St James Place Management organisation and their expertise lies in
advising companies, firms and individuals on savings, investments and pension planning. Details are as follows:

• Wednesday, 13 September 2017.

• 12 hole par three individual competition.

• Three ball teams - draw limited to 36 players.

• 50% handicap (maximum of 12).

• Entries in to the pro shop by Monday, 4 September.

• 36 drawn players notified on  Tuesday, 5 September.

• Draw for three ball teams at 5:00pm followed by shotgun start at 5:30pm.

• Buffet, presentation and wine tasting in the clubhouse following completion from 7.30pm.

• No entry fee.

• Non-playing wives/partners are welcome to attend the buffet/wine tasting for £5 per head.