Melton started their 2014 campaign in the Leicestershire Scratch League with a home match against local rivals Stapleford Park who have entered the League for the first time this year.
Tim Dean — the new team captain for Melton — was pleased to hear that the early exchanges were generally favouring the home team, with Melton making the most of their home advantage and pressing on strongly to finally complete a comfortable 7-to-1 game victory.
Jake Mogg had a very good debut for Melton, winning 1 up on the 18th hole. Other winning results were: Ollie Duley 4 & 2, Rob Smith 4 & 3, Jev Goddard 3 & 2, Pete Poolan 3 & 2, David Poolan 4 & 3, and Guy Rayson 1 up.
Stapleford Park’s team captain was very complimentary about the good condition of the course at Melton and said that his team eagerly awaited the return fixture at Stapleford in early July.
The Juniors played the Bill Lodge Spring Trophy competition on Friday. Setting out in the rain didn’t deter them, but the stiff breeze and wet conditions were reflected in the overall scores. James Parker won the day with a net 73, Jake Mogg took second place with net 74, and George Boddy third with net 76.
Melton Leicestershire B Team League got off to a winning start with an exciting victory at Park Hill on Wednesday evening, with a 3 ½ to 2 ½ win for Melton. Initially played in good conditions, the match was evenly poised at 2-2, with wins for Jev Goddard & Ray Catton (6&5) and Tom Smith & Bev Blake (3&2). However, as heavy rain began to fall the deciding two matches went to the last green where John Burgess & Neil Eaves won (1 up) while Billy Kevan & Alan Newton halved to seal a win by the narrowest margin possible.
The Ladies Handicap League also got off to an excellent start with a home win against Scraptoft 2 and 1. Leah Radford & Maureen Stapleford beat Shirley Bright & Jill Preston 3 and 2, Julia Brown & Elaine Shelton lost on the last hole to go 1 down to Ann King & Tina Berry, and ‘Drina Terzza & Karen Middleton beat Julie Stretton & Lorraine Washington 6 and 4. All the matches were played in really good spirit on a bitterly cold and windy but dry day, with the course in really good condition.
The Handicap League good form continued when they played their first away match at Lutterworth with another 2 and 1 win. Leah Radford & Chris Cook had an excellent +2 win, with Leah giving 15 shots to one of her opponents, and Julia Brown with Karen Middleton sealed the teams victory with a 4 and 3 win.
The Senior Ladies away match at Belton Park on the 24th was halved with Fay Hutton & Lindy Dane and Alison Gatward with Liz Snow both winning their matches to bring home the halved match result.
The Gents’ competition fixtures have picked up; the 17th April Midweek Medal was the next leg of the Race to Woodhall Spa competition. The winner was Keith Tomblin with a a superb net 67, second and third places were won by junior members Jack Griffin and Matt Kuzmicz, both net 70 and both on count back. Rob Smith won the Best Gross with a one over par 71. Only three twos were shot on the day by Mick Cavani, Paul Gough, and Rob Smith.
The Gents’ Stableford on Easter Sunday was won by Andy Westwood with 37 points, closely followed by Cameron Young with 36 points on count back from Tony Robinson, also with 36. Again only three twos were scored by Gavin Baxter, Jake Mogg, and Steve Goddard.
The Lombard PGA Pro Am qualifier was played with the course in excellent condition. Overall winner John Burgess shot a net 67, and will accompany Club Professional Dan Bailey to Coventry for the Pro-Am competition. Division One winner was George Boddy (net 69), with Tom Smith in second (net 70). Division Two was won by Jon Wade (Lombard PGA runner up) (net 68), with Glenn Price (net 69) in second. Division Three winner Steve Riley shot net 73 and new member Chris Vose took second place net 76. Best Gross was shared by John Burgess and Tom Smith, who both shot gross 77.
Seven winners of the two’s sweep, Dave Poolan, Chris Radford, John Burgess, Ray Smith, Jon Wade, and Tom Smith shot two birdies. The result of the Raddy’s Roll-Up Texas Scramble on Sunday Morning was as follows:
- 1st – Keith Tomblin & Andy Westwood (net 66)
- 2nd – Chris Radford & Dave Bailey (net 68 o.c.b.)
- 3rd – Billy Kevan & Giles Hinch (net 68)
Alison Gatward won the April Ladies England Golf medal with a super net 72. Alison also won Division Two, 7 shots clear of runner up Liz Snow (net 79). Division One was won by Karen Middleton (net 77) with Kathie Finn second (net 79). The nine hole qualifier was well supported. Sue Bennett took first spot with 13 points, followed by Janet Bentley with 11 points on count back from Isabel Gilland and Anita Herbert (also 11 points).