THE men staged the May monthly Stableford on Saturday and the medal on Sunday and as usual, the former proved the more popular. However, the difficult flag placements on the first three holes and the large field, caused a slow start.
In division one of the Stableford, David Snowdon, off 10 handicap, and Steven Shields, off two and one of the club’s Thornton Cup team, scored 38 points. Snowdon was the winner on countback.
In division two, Keith French scored 40 points off 17 handicap and Bob Potter was runner-up with 38 off 14.
On Sunday, a quieter but windier day, Will Frost won the division one medal with an excellent net 67 off 4 handicap.
Runner-up was Tim Knight, with a net 69 off nine handicap. Division two Stableford was won by Alan Malcolm, with a net 73 off 20 handicap, on countback from Chris Knight, with 73 off 18.
Several of the winners are due a handicap revision, but the computer went down and members were forced to calculate the scores by hand.
It’s a big week at the Thorpe Bay club. Today they are staging the Essex PGA Pro-Am and tomorrow the Essex 36 hole Professional Championship.
The event is being sponsored by Southend’s own Fairfield BMW with total prize money of £8,000.
Sixty Essex professional golfers will be competing in this 36-hole tournament which dates back to 1956.
Over the years it has been won by some famous players, including Lionel Platts, Brian Huggett, Paul Curry and Boyce Hill’s Graham Burroughs.
Last year’s winner, Chelmsford GC's Brett Taylor, will be defending his title at the course where he was once club champion before heading off to Wentworth for this year’s European Tour BMW Championship.
Thorpe Hall’s own John Fryatt will be hoping to add to his previous win in 2001. He will enjoy the advantage of playing on the course he knows so well.
The course itself is in tip-top condition having improved considerably over the last 15 months.
Head greenkeeper Barry Williams has bought the skills he learnt while at the Wentworth Club and Royal Mid Surrey to Thorpe Hall.
Entry is free from 8am.
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