RON Edmondson was crowned the Men’s Club Champion at Brean on Sunday afternoon for the first time. 

He joined Lyn Bird in the winner’s enclosure as she retained the title she had won 12 months earlier in the Ladies event. 

Edmondson slowly reeled in long time leader and defending champion Matt Shaw over the closing nine holes of the second round to win by three strokes. 

Bird had a more comfortable journey to success as she led from the front all weekend and ended well ahead of her nearest challenger, Ron’s wife Linda, thus preventing a family double. 

Mrs Edmondson did get the prize for the Ladies best nett over the two rounds though.

With the weather deciding to take a turn for the worst as the Championship weekend dawned players had to hastily find their discarded waterproofs and umbrellas and heavy showers and a stiff breeze dominated day one.

Defending champion Shaw set of in good form and after a round of 74 he held a two-stroke lead over Edmondson at the end of day one with Adam Cox and Dan Broom another stroke further back on 77. 

Shaw looked in complete control as he reached the turn and held a comfortable advantage but his golf ball seemed to develop an attraction to water on the back nine and his chances sunk in the numerous water hazards strewn across the back nine at Brean. 

Edmondson was at the same time producing a steady homeward run and once he took the lead after the 15th he was never to be headed again as he collected his maiden Championship at Brean and with it striking a notable blow for the Senior section of the club.

Steve Bateman was unable to add title number eight to his collection of Brean Championships but his stunning 73 on day two was the low round of the event and propelled him past Shaw on countback into the runners up position.

Dan Williams was round in 74 on Sunday to secure himself another high finish in the event as he was fourth on 156.

Graham Foy was the dominant force in the Nett competition as he won the cup for a second time after his success back in 2011. 

He produced a best of the day nett 66 on day one and then backed it up with another sub par effort on Sunday to enjoy a five-stroke winning margin ahead of Steve Jones who had rounds of 70 and 69.

Another Steve was placed third as Steve Mason held off Alec Bateman on a countback.

There was a close finish to the Seniors Texas Scramble with a fraction over a shot separating the leading three teams. 

The top trio were Mike Drayton, John Hale and Pete Douglas who scored a superb 54.7 to hold a 0.3 of a stroke margin of victory in the final standings. Taking second spot on 55.0 was Neil Barker, Ken Ponter and 2017 Captain Ray Byatt whilst George Thomas, Roger Phillips and Bill Marlow were third on 55.8.

Two days later the scoring in the Seniors Stableford was as hot as the weather with no less than six players scoring 42 points or better. 

Five of those scores came in Division Two and a countback was required to decide the winner. 

Both John Hale and Mike Drayton continued their great form handing in 45 point hauls. 

Hale enjoyed the better homeward run and was declared the winner ahead of Drayton. 

Allen Fellingham won another countback for third with 42 points. 

Any of that trio would have been challenging for honours in Division One as Captain Chris Stephens won with a 42 point total. 

Two steady halves of 21 points saw him head home Barrie Tucker and Geoff Hill by a single point. 

Tucker was awarded second on countback after a storming back nine of 25 points to relegate Hill to third despite enjoying his best score since joining the club earlier in the year.

Brean Ladies entertained their local rivals Burnham & Berrow Ladies in the latest friendly last Thursday morning. The “Wright” weather and conditions helped give the hosts a deserved 3-1 victory.

Bob Smith was the victor of the Midweek Stableford for the second week running. 

HARRIET Lockley emerged victorious at the Burnham & Berrow Golf Club Ladies Championship over the weekend.

Lockley recorded rounds of 74 and 76 - level par and two-over - to finish with a gross score of 150, seven shots clear of second-placed Amanda Mayne - Jane Powell finished third.

Jessie Haynes, meanwhile, was the nett champion after an excellent round of her own.

Steve Mercer and Clive Collier teamed up to win Monday’s Seniors Invitation Day on the Championship Course, recording a fine score of 45 points to lead the field home.

Both the club’s senior teams are going well in the Avalon League - the A team sit second in Division 2, with the B team currently leading the way in Division 6.