On an early Sunday morning the Stroke Play Championship got under way the ever impressive Yeovil Golf course. Prior to the start we had torrential rain, thunder and lightning but thankfully this cleared before the first tee time and the day turned around to nice sun shine and pleasantly warm. It was a disappointing field with only 34 players down to start but still for those that played I believe they all enjoyed the day.
Early starter James Chapman was round in 73 to take the early first round lead; this was equalled by local James Kelleher. Youngster George Long Parkstone then took over with a fine level par 71 and was soon equalled by a fine 71 also from Ferndown’s Harry Mann who was four under on the back nine. County Captain Giles Legg along with Harry Mitchell Ferndown, Jon Welch and Pete Corrick Weymouth were all one over. County Champion sonny was off the pace with 75 but Weymouth’s Robbie Mabb was in stunning form coming home in 67 four under par. Tony Lawrence having a lost ball on the first still came home in level par with some fine golf, so it was set up for a great afternoons golf with so many in the melting pot for the seasons climax.
For the first round scores click here.
With double points available in the first round the County Order of Merit suddenly became a lot tighter as the overnight leader Harry Mitchell was overhauled by Robbie who took a two point lead into the final round.
So after a hearty lunch the players were all back out in the sunshine and the early starters found scoring a little more difficult and the early starters really struggled to find any sort of scoring form from the morning George Long had a good three over 74 and was the club house leader on a 145 total. Ferndown’s Harry Mann really enjoyed the back nine and was three under for this nine helping him to a great 70 and a 141 total one under for the Championship and the clubhouse leader. First team payer Jon welch Weymouth also shot a one under 70 and a 142 total. Giles could only manage 78 and Harry 76. Robbie was not quite as hot as in the morning but was only two over on 73 giving him a 140 total and the lead by one from Harry Mann as we awaited the last group. Sonny on 79 was out of it but Tom Robson fought hard and when his second on the last threatened to go in we knew he had something going and it was a great two under 69 but it was not quite enough to get him into the top three leaving him back in fifth on 143. Spare a though for Tony Lawrence who again came home in a level 71 which would have been a one under 70 and third place had he noticed his markers error of giving him a 3 on the second when it should have been a two!!
For the second round scores click here.
To view the 36 hole scores click here.
So Robbie Mabb Took the Parkstone Cup by one from Harry Mann who took the Weymouth Cup with a great net score of 137.
The Garrett Salver winner Harry Mitchell on a 285 total won the Donald Holmes 72 hole Championship by nine shots from Tony Lawrence and Tom Robson.
For the Donald Holmes results click here.
Finally Robbie Mabb took the 2012 County Order of Merit by some six shots from Harry Mitchell. So it was a great end to the County Championship season with the youngsters starting to prove themselves taking all the trophies between them this year
We would like to thank the members of Yeovil GC for hosting the event and our Sponsor Ringwood Brewery who kindly donate to the club two barrels of their finest ale for hosting this years County Stroke Play Championship.