Golf: Brendan shows he has the drive to lead Chichester veterans

He continued to play a fine round and record a creditable 37 points on the day. The weather relented after a couple of hours and the 56 entrants completed their rounds in bright sunshine with several players beating their handicap.

The eventual winner was Ken Williams, who won on countback from Roy Chandler with 39 points, followed by a clutch of players on 38.

The event was completed with a captain’s raffle and a successful day raised more than £300 for St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Brendan’s charity for the year.

n Chichester veterans completed their summer schedule with a rearranged match at Slinfold. It was a very close contest which saw Chichester recover from early losses for a satisfying 4-4 draw.

Results: Brendan Sharpe & Roy Chandler lost 1 down; David Blythe & Dieter Matthey lost 4&3; Norman Moore & Roger Fletcher lost 1 down; Chris Myers & Ken Williams won 2 up; Nick Hobbs & Ivan Hollow halved; Mike Hunter & Richard Parker won 4&3; Mike Chapman & Richard Holden won 4&3; Bill Martin & Mike Harrington halved.

Chichester Golf Club have relaunched their driving range with great new features.

The new-look range features new targets, new distance markers and new mats and is 30 yards longer.

The £55,000 refurbishment includes an extension of the range and the height of the netting, so woods can now be used on all the bays and you can hit without holding back.

Four new large-target greens have been put in at 75, 125, 150 and 200 yards, so you have something to aim at whether you are practicing your short or long game. There are new distance markers so you can measure how far you are hitting. Inside the range there are new mats, which include strike mats to help you shape your shot – in simple terms they show you where your feet should go.

To celebrate the re-launch, everyone who hits one of the new targets is entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a Gold Range Card worth £100. With a Gold Range Card you get 2,000 balls to hit, so if you win there will be plenty of opportunities to come and use the range.

A token for 50 balls is just £3.90 and the driving range is open until 8pm Monday to Friday and 6pm at the weekend. For more information see www.chichestergolf.com or call 01243 528999.

COWDRAY PARK

Dismal conditions greeted qualifiers for Cowdray Park seniors’ championship.

Thirty had qualified by finishing in the top two in competitions throughout the year.

After 24 hours of heavy rain the course was soft but playable.

Early starters faced the worst of the conditions, but it did not prevent Dave Hirons, off his eight handicap, posting a handy score of 70.

Last year’s seniors’ captain Wally Mitchell returned to his early-season form to take the lead with 69.

However this score was soon trumped by current vice-captain Bill Hummerston, who recorded 67.

After four holes he was five over par, but a solid series of ten gross pars and a birdie on the testing par-four 14th put him under par, and he held his game together until he reached the clubhouse.

Immediately behind him was Philip Currie, who scored a nett 69 and claimed second place on countback from Wally Mitchell and last year’s club captain Harvey Terry.

With the results for October’s Stableford being verified, the positions in Cowdray Park seniors’ Eclectic and Carter Trophy became a little clearer.

In the Eclectic, Phil Harrison held on to his lead on countback from John Doran, who leapt from 15th place to second. But with Harrison likely to have his handicap reduced, this could open the door for Doran, in much the same way as Dave Hirons overtook Graham Evans last year with a handicap increase and a birdie on the final green of the last competition.

Hirons is moving up menacingly to 12th, while Chris Hoare has jumped from 33rd to 15th.

The position in the Carter Trophy is clearer with a maximum of eight players in contention.

Setting the pace is Peter Clarke, who has recorded five top-ten finishes in the qualifying competitions. Closing on him is the consistent Brian Carpenter, who has had three high finishes, while Allen Sibley will need a return to early-season form to maintain his challenge.

SELSEY

The veterans’ section of Selsey Golf Club played their end-of-season competition. Competitors were members who have played inter-club matches during the year.

There were both team and individual prizes and the winning team, with 102 Stableford points, consisted of Terry Chapman, John Williamson and John Napper.

The overall individual winner was Dennis Sanderson with 38 points. Second was Tony Terry with 37 on countback from John Napper.

Veterans’ captain Brian Mariner thanked all the players for their support during the year and the competition ended with an enjoyable lunch provided by club caterer Julie Conebar.

AVISFORD PARK

On a chilly but sunny day Avisford seniors lost an enjoyable match at Selsey 4½-1½.

Results (Avisford names first): Brian Coughlan (captain) & Bob Bridges halved with Brian Mariner (Captain) & Ray Debuse; David Feist & Bob Boulter lost 6&5 to Brian Rainer & Dave White; Barry Goble & Nick Birch lost 7&5 to Vic Wade & Terry Chapman; Peter Smith & Peter Brown won 3&2 against Gerry Hollands & Dave Tindale; Mick Joyce & Terry Smith lost 4&2 to Gordon Mariner & Doug Errett; Colin Payne & John Noyce lost 1 down to John Williamson & Mike Russell.

The seniors got back to winning ways when their next home match against Rookwood resulted in a 6-0 win.

The result was closer than the score suggests as three matches were decided on the last hole.

Results: John Miller (vice-captain) & Gerry Tarrant won 1 up; Graham Williams & Ernie Rivett won 1 up; Chris Machin & Barry Goble beat Tony Leather & Tony Priestley 1 up; Colin Payne & Nick Birch won 3&1; Stan Burdfield & Kevin Durban-Jackson won 2&1; David Feist & Norman Turner won 4&2.

The final of Avisford Park’s Summer Knockout competition was won by Carl Corbin and Martin Gill, who beat Bob West and Michael Dunn.

The two recent senior Stablefords were won by Martin Crick win division one with 35 points and in division two Mike Gammon with 37, and then by Brian Comber in division one with 30 points and in division two by Roger Lewis with 31.

The midweek medal competition was won by Antony Charrin with 67.

The winter breakfast plate winners were Robert Baker, Mark Heron and Robert Kuszka with 88 points.

The club Stableford was won in division one by Neil Medcraft with 40 points and in division two by Brian Comber with 37.

The midweek Stableford was won by Carl Corbin with 36 points.

BOGNOR

Bognor ladies played in the Daily Mail Foursomes competition.

Results: 1 Denise Pratt & Sara Stoneham 68 nett, 2 Erica Ellicott & Hayley Mackay 72, 3 June Salt & Bridget Samuels 72.5 ocb, 4 Val Robertson & Beryl Payne 72.5.