IT WAS time once again for Broadway Golf Club to open its doors for the John Freeman Open – a prestigious competition which provides entrants with the opportunity to play for the esteemed trophy presented by the club in 2002 in celebration of the 40 years the late John Freeman served as club professional.
A packed field had turned out to support the mixed greensomes stableford with competitors representing 18 clubs from all corners of the country.
It was a cool but dry day which greeted the 88 participants and all went out keen to enjoy their round, none more so than home team Barbara Bate and Charlie Nettell whose 44 points clinched victory.
Barbara was extremely proud to have been playing with her grandson Charlie for the first time in this competition and both were delighted to have been part of such a special day for the club.
Other winners were Broadway’s John and Sonia Ward who earned a close second place with an excellent 42 points, ahead of home player Camilla Haines and partner John Yarnold who had travelled from Redditch GC to support Haines in achieving third place with 41 points.
Also returning a score of 41 but losing out marginally on countback were visiting team Darrell Bunn and Anne Hollman-Bunn from Bromsgrove.
Best front and back nine prizes were also awarded and Cheryl Senior and Peter Azizi claimed the front nine with 23 points and Ian and Judith Noyce the back nine with 21.
Broadway Golf Club’s ladies were keen to impress as they competed for the Martland trophies – donated in 1975 by former member Tilly Martland – and it was Linda Everitt and Bev Howard who prevailed with a score of 70 nett.
The better ball contest was drawn for partners with one higher and one lower handicap player teaming up on a pleasant morning and with the course in fabulous condition.
Runners-up were Maggie McDivitt and Ange Sollis with 71 nett on countback from third-placed Judith Noyce and Barb Buggin. Jan Titley and Kim Lockyear were fourth with 72 nett.
The juniors turned out at the weekend to began their Medal contest in torrential rain. Determined the weather would not dampen their spirits, players battled on regardless and it was Joe Golding’s 72 nett which sealed victory.
Sharing the score was Ambrose Eaves who was second on countback, leaving James Sutherland to take third with 75 nett and Sonny Nangle fourth with 76.
To complete a busy week of superb golfing activity, the men stepped out the following day to compete in the Founders Cup.
Presented in 1925, the trophy was donated in memory of Broadway Golf Club’s founder Dr C T Standring. The weather had settled nicely and it was a fine morning for golf as, with fairways running superbly and greens playing perfectly, there were high expectations of some low nett scores in the singles stroke play contest.
Adam Barnfield topped the leaderboard with 65 nett, Mike Humpston carded 67 nett to take a close second – also achieving lowest gross on the day with an excellent 70 – and Gary Evans and Dan Lamb matched the latter score to earn third and fourth positions on countback.
