Golf: Third round is looming, but let's play fourth round first

After a dull start, the sun eventually appeared, providing a pleasant change to recent weather, and, with the excellent condition of the course, scoring was much better than the previous week.

Early clubhouse leaders with 69 points were captain Bill Hummerston with Paul Chater and Tony Castley with Paul Owen, but eventual winners, with an excellent combined total of 77, were Dave Tilley (39) and Roger Poat (38) – pressed strongly by Jan de Vries (37) and Derek Smith (39) with 76.

Best indivdual score of the day came from Mike King with 40, following his excellent 39 in round two.

Thanks to the generosity of the captain, there were prizes for nearest the pin on the four par-threes. These went to Dave Hirons (third hole), Mike Hancock (ninth), Pat Bonner (11th) and Rodney Fisher (17th).

Leaders after three rounds are Cliff Davis on 114, John Doran (109), Mike King and Derek Smith (106), Roger Poat (105), Harvey Terry (104), Tony Castley and Ian Goodall (102).

The notable feature of the recent Cowdray Park seniors’ Stableford was the performance of three relative newcomers to the section in virtually their first competition. Winner of division one was Peter Laws (pictured above), who recently joined from Moor Park, Nick Faldo’s old club, and runner-up was Paul Owen, who moved up into the seniors recently, as did Mick Colban, who was second in division two.

CHICHESTER

Chichester ladies were out on the Cathedral course for their qualifying Stableford. The winner was Caroline Hawkes with 36 points ahead of Yvonne Dunckley with 32 and Erica Ellicott with 31. Caroline’s 36 points was good enough for her handicap to be reduced to 11.

Eighteen ladies played a fun game called Bingo, Bango, Bongo. The winners were Jennifer Fidler, Liz Fraser, Lesly Hance, Ann Harris, Yvonne Leaver and Christine Harper.

The Saturday ladies enjoyed spring weather for their qualifying Stableford. The winner was Rachel Greenland with 32 points, second was Helen Ball with 31 and Mary-Lou Litton was third (28).

AVISFORD PARK

Members took on the staff and it ended in a draw, so the staff keep the trophy.

Results: Mick Mills & Russell Evershed drew with Gerry Maguire & Kevin Lewis; Richard Stillwell & Wilson Sharpe beat Chris Wall & Martin Gill 3-1; Roger Boorer & Michael Hopkins beat Danny Carter & George Stillwell 3-2; Stephen Porter & Tim Winter beat Andy Adams & Graham Twine 3-2; Ian Denyer & Brian Jeffries beat Carl Corbin & Martin Comber

1 up; Bob Boulter & Brian Comber beat Neil Medcraft & Lee Rogers 7-5, Roy Coulson & Al Winterton beat Nick Finneran & Andy Kille 1 up.

The midweek Stableford was won by Peter Bown with 37 points. The ladies’ Stableford was won by Yvette Charman with 34.

The Saturday Stableford was won by Nick Nolan with 39 points and the seniors’ Stableford pairs competition was won by Norman Turner and David Farrer with 74 points. Runners-up were Chris Machin and Colin Coe with 73.

BOGNOR

Bognor ladies played two finals. In the winter foursomes matchplay, Sally Cameron and Jill Gill lost to Teresa Byrne and Sophie James.

The Thin Cup singles matchplay final was between Lynn Miller and Teresa Byrne. It was closely-contested and Byrne won on the 19th.

Twenty-eight pairs played in the ELGA Stableford.

Results: 1 Lynn Miller & Ann Bushell 41pts, 2 Jill Gill & Kay Kingswell 39 ocb, 3 Pauline Littlejohns & Sally Cameron 39, 4 Kay Dady & Jackie Humphries 36 ocb.