Mens Handicap Trophy 2009

Mens Division 1

It was a very tricky day for scoing, and that was shown by the division 1 handicappers who struggled to play to their handicaps. Overall the conditions on the Saturday were easier than the Sunday, and that did show in the scores, but it was Chris Smith who took the first prize for division 1, with a Gross 79 Nett 72 playing off 7. Ryan Archer came second in division to after a Nett 73 playing off 11 beat Ben Hall on count-back. Ben shot 78 which was the joint lowest Gross for division 1, but had it not been for 5 bogeys in the last five holes it could have been a division 1 victory for Ben. The next best score in division 1 was a Nett 75 from Lee Tebbutt, whose Gross 78 was equal to that of Ben's. There were then four Nett 76's and three Nett 77's.
Mens Division 2
The scoring was much better in division 2, with more people from this division playing on the Saturday when scoring was much easier. Scott Merrell won the division after his Gross 79 Nett 66 off 13 beat Colin Henfrey by 2 shots. Scott has now been cut to 11.6, with a playing handicap of 12 as his fantastic recent form continues. Scott has been picking up very valuable Order of Merit points over the last few weeks, catching up with the leaders. Scott was 2nd for the whole competition, missing out on the main trophy on count-back. Colin Henfrey shot a Gross 82 to go with his Nett 68, and Colin has now been cut back down to 13. Colin beat Barry Swift on count-back, with Barry's Nett 68 coming from a Gross 82 as well, also getting him cut back to 13. Paul Littlewood shot a Nett 70 to get cut to 14, while Order of Merit contenders Steve Abblett and Paul Hancock shot Nett 72s to finish 5th and 6th respectively. There were two players who were disqualified for not paying, a reminder that when you enter these competitions you must pay in an envelope in the clubhouse on or before the closing date, which is the Thursday before the weekend of competitions, expect block bookings which is a week Thursday before.
Mens Division 3
The division 3 winner also took the overall trophy and his name on the board. The overall trophy was won on count-back by Derek Archer. Derek shot Gross 88 Nett 66 playing off his 22 handicap, although from now on he will be playing off 20. Noel Tebbutt was second in division 3 with a Nett 67, which has seen him cut from 21 to 19, a fantatsic achievement and a fantastic game for Noel. Terry Henfrey was 3rd in the division with a Nett 72, while Joe Larkey was next best with a Nett 75.