Charity Day at Lyme

In windy, but otherwise perfect conditions for golf, the Lyme Regis Club Captain, Gerry Donlon staged his charity day in aid of the Friends of the Dorchester County Hospital.

Manned entirely by volunteers, the Friends of the hospital work hard seven days each week to provide services such as the daily delivery of newspapers, books and those other little “extras” which make life in hospital all the more comfortable for the patients. Although this event was essentially the major fund raiser for the charity, collections and other events have been taking place throughout the current year and the total raised so far is well in excess of �5,000. The major sponsors for the event were Mercedes-Benz, Dorchester, and St Austell Brewery, but over 24 local businesses contributed to the prizes for the day for which both the Lyme Regis Golf Club and Captain are extremely grateful. Of the prizes on offer the major attraction was use of a top of the range Mercedes car. Originally only on offer for a weekend, the prize was extended to a four day period for the one and only hole-in-one of the day scored by local golfer and B&B proprietor John Thomas. Full details of the results of the day are: Progressive Bowmaker

1, Matthew Rose, J Pullin, J Quarterman, S Boyne - Manchee (Lyme Regis)114pts; 2, C Barnes, C Coles, P Newman, G Collier (Churston) 112pts; 3, R Ryan, M Sanual, S Carol, D Middleton (Knighton Heath) 111; 4, (on countback) Geoff Moss, Malcolm Wilson, Jim Allan, Wallace McCormick (Lyme Regis)109; 5, Mrs K Hough, C Papnorth, Mrs C Dommett, Mrs G Jarvis (Teignmouth) 109. Nearest the Pin: 3rd hole (men) Barry Carter (Lyme Regis); 5th hole (in two for Ladies) Charlotte Dommett (Weymouth);

8th hole (Ladies) Jane Dixon (Lyme Regis); 11th hole (Ladies) June Symcox (Enmore Park GC); 12th hole (in two for men) John Pullin (Lyme Regis); 13th hole (any player) John Thomas (Lyme Regis) with a hole-in-one; 17th hole (any player) Tony Warwick (Lyme Regis).

Longest Drive: 6th hole (for men) Rob Ryam (Knighton Heath); 7th hole (for Ladies) Alice Robinson (Enmore Park GC); 16th hole (for men) Richard Yorke (Lyme Regis).

“Twos” Or Better: John Thomas (Lyme Regis) (Hole in One), I Bain, P Dunford, B Lintern, C Colls, R Yorke, Mrs Symcox, Mrs Cavill, S Cozens, A Coyne, A Warwick, W Madill.

? Played as a Stableford competition, the annual “President’s Prize” was staged on Sunday in perfect golfing conditions. The scores matched the conditions with Antony Warwick carding a highly impressive 42 pts in a round that included 12 pars or better. In second place was Rob Coombe with 40, narrowly beating John McGinley on countback.

? Monday, September 20, was yet another perfect day. Sixty eight senior golfers contested the annual “Ted Ray putter”Stableford. Whilst the top scorers recorded some outstanding totals many could not match their scores to the conditions. Alan Woodbridge recorded an exceptional 42pts playing off a 22 handicap. Alan also headed the field in the division two competition and has reduced his hcap to 19.6. Second was Richard Thompson (13) with an impressive 38pts to lead division one. The third was Jack Hansen with 37pts (ocb), beating Alastair Purcell.

Sophie Keech made her international debut when she represented England U18 Schools against Wales at The St Pierre Old Course near Chepstow, writes Ellie Langford.

The teams consisted of eight boys and four girls, each playing one foursomes and one singles match.

Sophie was paired with Avon’s Shelby Smart in the foursomes and probably had one of the toughest matches of the day, much to the delight of the spectators. Whenever they lost a hole, it was because the Welsh sank a putt for birdie or eagle.

Sophie and Shelby were three down after the ninth as the Welsh pairing went three under par. However, by the 14th they had fought back to all square before going one up after the 16th. The 17th was a daunting par 4 with a downhill approach to the green, which in turn sloped away towards a lake at the back.

Sophie and Shelby parred the hole to win the match 2 and 1. A fantastic result for such a well fought match.

In the singles, Sophie played against another redhead and, after a flying start, found herself three up after only four holes.

The Welsh girl fought back well and they were all square at the turn. From there the match began to swing in the Welsh girl’s favour and after the 13th, Sophie found herself two down.

She staged another fight back on the final holes and levelled the match after the 15th.

Sophie then won the 16th to go 1 up, but lost the 17th, making them all square as they teed off on the 18th.

Both girls showed a rush of adrenalin as their tee shots missed the green, but Sophie hit an outstanding approach shot which finished just short of the hole.

This proved too good for her opponent as she sunk the putt to win the hole and the match.

England beat Wales 10 to 7 .