GOLF is back in full swing at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club, and even though the guidelines laid down by the golfing authorities are being strictly adhered to the opportunity to get outside and play alongside friends (socially distanced) has been very much appreciated by everyone, writes Richard Walsh.

“It’s times like this that you realize just how much a golf club means to people. The chance to come up to the club and meet up with friends and play golf with them has been a real life saver for some of our members who have had difficult times during this lockdown,” said Simon Stevenson the PGA Professional and Director of Golf at T&P.

He added: “Everybody is even happier now the bar has reopened and people can sit outside on the patio and enjoy each others company, within the guidelines of course.”

The Annual Men’s Invitation Day took place on Saturday when 160 golfers, 80 members and their guests, took part in the Stableford competition that was played in good weather with some high scoring.

At the end of the day with two pairs returning on 46 points the winners on countback were were Chris Coxan and A. Avis just ahead of second J Lindsay and A Campbell.

The next three places also had to be decided on countack when each pair scored 44 points, following which James Price and R Aspinall were third, John Wall and Paul Thoroughgood claimed fourth spot while Steve John and S John were fourth.

After their game many took advantage of the chance to enjoy a snack meal and a beer on the patio, while still keeping safe distance. The game was played within the limitations laid down by the golfing authorities but the golf was still enjoyed by all parties.

Last week 31 Ladies took part in the Hewlett/Harkness Rosebowl Stableford competition. The winner of the silver division and Hewlett Rosebowl was Jane Martin-Scott with 39 points, second place went to Carol Keenan with 37 and count back saw Fiona Snell third.Jane Martin-Scott also scored a two on the 6th hole.

The winner of the bronze division and Harkness Rosebowl was Jan Hill with 38 points, Jenny Bevan was second with 36 on count back, with Katy Davies in third place.

Congratulations to Gill Shire who scored a hole in one on the par 3 sixth hole, her first ever in a competition.

Gill who plays off a handicap of 15 and has been a member at T&P for five years said: “I knew Id hit it well but it wasn’t until I got to the hole that I could see that it had gone in. It was a real thrill and its hard to believe that you have achieved such a thing.”

This week saw 39 ladies playing for the Hawkes Trophies. The winner of the silver division and Hawkes Salver was Kathy Edwards with 40 points, second place went to Lennox Heath with 38 while Georgia Richards was third on 37.

Winner of the bronze division and Hawkes Cup was Sue Ensell with 39 points, second place went to Jackie Pike with 36 while Sue Walsh was third on 34.

Special mention must go to Emma Smith, who played in the copper division with a handicap of 45. Emma scored 56 points and was cut by 11 shots to a new handicap of 34!

Junior Section golf is back on Monday evenings and despite the break during the lockdown the standard continues to be very good with many reducing their handicaps and obviously enjoying the return of golf.

The winner of the 18 hole competition played off the white tees was Freddie Eglin with 45 points, second was Bailey Langford with 41, Kyle Miller was third with 36 points, fourth place was claimed by Thomas Rew also with 36 while George Geddes was fifth with the same score.

In the 9 hole competition it was Charlie Jones who was the winner with 22 points, Lewis Walters was second with 17, Matthew Candfield was third on 16, James Bird was fourth on the same score and Kieran Mackay fifth with 15.

This weekend sees the T&P Club Championships taking place when the Mens, Ladies and Juniors’ competitions take place over 36 holes, 18 holes on both Saturday and Sunday, while the Seniors play over 18 holes on Sunday.