FOLLOWING the success of the John Freeman Open the previous week, one of the further highlights of the golfing year at Broadway Club Golf was the Martyn Freeman Trophy, won by Jim Covill.
The latter competition had been introduced in 2016 in memory of the club’s wonderful professional who passed away the previous year, just a short time after his father and fellow professional John.
The individual stableford was played at the weekend and Martyn would have been delighted to see the tremendous turnout as 90 members from all playing sections from across the club stepped out to support.
It was a day of occasional sunshine with heavy showers thrown in the mix but this did not deter the many competitors who all went out to make the most of their game on a course which continued to play superbly despite the weather.
Covill won the prestigious men’s trophy thanks to a score of 39 points. Malcolm Ross and Robert Jones matched the impressive score and finished second and third respectively on countback.
Winner of the ladies’ trophy, for the second year running, was ladies’ captain Irene Hawkes with 35 points. Annabelle Carter was second on countback and Maggie McDivitt third with 31.
The third trophy up for grabs was for the winning junior member and it was Sonny Nangle who took it with 38 points, leaving Max Carter second with an admirable 37 and Ambrose Eaves third with 36.
A fabulous £438 was raised through entry fees and donations, which will be presented to a local charity later in the season on behalf of the Freeman family.
The prolonged spell of low pressure continued to assert its presence at Broadway as torrential rain and a cool breeze greeted ladies for their England Golf Trust Stableford.
Debbie Donoghue won in Division One with a hard-earned 32 points, Elaine Hickin was second with 28 and skipper Hawkes third with 27.
Jan Titley took Division Two by storm as she brought in a superb 36 points to take top position, with Kate Bellamy scoring 35 to finish a close second. Camilla Haines was third with 29.
Broadway’s ladies were keen to support the England Golf Trust Stableford in its efforts to raise funds for boys and girls who may need financial help to get into playing golf.
As winners of Division One and Two, Donoghue and Titley go forward for consideration for the National Final of the competition in which ladies returning the top 30 scores across the country will be invited to play in a better ball contest at Kings Norton Golf Club in August.
