Astbury Captain's Day 2010

July 2nd to 4th marked Astbury Golf Club Captain, Peter Bozon's, main event of the season - The Captain's Weekend.

The course was in terrific condition for the weekend with everything tended and tidy and, despite the dry spell increasing the challenge overall, Astbury was a delight to see. While the event honours the Captain it also demands a great deal of his time and Peter was consequently ever present welcoming contenders to the First Tee over all 3 days for the Seniors, Juniors and Mens section events.

The large marquee in the car park, used for the Summer Ball on Saturday evening, helped add a sense of occasion and glamour to the weekend and Peter was ably assisted across the whole weekend by his many friends, supporters and club staff whether that be in the halfway house, first tee starters hut, catering, clubhouse bar or the pro shop.

In the Marquee on Sunday evening Peter brought the weekend to a close with a dinner for his invited guests followed by the prize presentations. After a great meal and good company Peter kicked off the presentations with a big thank you to those who proposed him for the honour of Captain and to all those whose support made the weekend so memorable and successful.

And so to the competitions and presentations - with 200 competitors playing over the week it was a great turn out and the Marquee added a pleasant formality to the proceedings - full results are at the end of this article.....

In the Junior section and introduced by Peter's wife Jane, the presentation marked two events. The earlier Lady Captain's Junior Stableford event followed by the Captain's Day Junior Medal itself.

In the Lady Captain's Junior's event, played in Mid June, a truly exceptional performance by Max Rogers won the day comfortably - scoring 50 points off 17 handicap, which is a staggering performance that brought Max's playing handicap down 4 shots to 13. To most this would mean a period of quiet consolidation, but not Max who immediately played below this new handicap in his next event - Certainly a player on Top Form. Second on the day, with an otherwise fine score, was Callum Small (39 pts off 19 handicap) and 3rd was Ellis Frodsham ( 38 pts off 18 handicap).

In the Captain's Day Junior medal Richard Griffiths emerged from the pack to record a terrific nett 68 off his 15 handicap followed by Callum Small with nett 69 and Jeremiah Hayes in third with nett 71. In his winner's speech Richard thanked the Captain and Jane for all her supporting work for the juniors and gently teased his brother Harry in their ongoing rivalry for honours. In the Junior Novices event over 12 holes a fine score of 21 points from James Hodgson saw him take the honours - it was a true delight to all to see James beaming at his performance after being presented with his prize even if he needed the pantomime hook to get him off the stage at the end!

In the Senior section, played on June 29th, and in a close contest, Peter was happy to announce the winner as the Senior Skipper Eric Porter with 40 pts off 18 handicap who just pipped Ian Wylie into 2nd place - Ian also recording 40 pts. 3rd was Peter Ardern with 39 pts (off 17). Dave Burt winning the over 75 prize with a great 36 pts.

In the Men's section, competing for the prestigious Captain's Prize, secretary Dave Young provided the results to Peter. With a medal format there were some top class performances on the day with a few players, not least the winner, who must have even surprised themselves with some excellent scores given the tricky conditions with the strong wind and hard fairways.

Winning the overall Captain's Trophy Major getting his name on the board with a brilliant Nett 65 (playing off 9) was Ged Charlton. 2nd overall and just losing out on countback was Mike Wayne also on nett 65 ( 15 Hcp), who was awarded the Captain's Prize on the night and 3rd was Competition Secretary Dave Young himself with a Nett 66 ( 14 Hcp) - the Captain was flabbergasted to see Dave in the winner's circle given his rather worse for wear state witnessed on the 1st tee before his round. Ged was unfortunately unable to attend the prize giving but Mike gave an amusing speech celebrating his return to winning ways.

The event formally concluded with the President Alan White leading in 3 cheers for the Captain.

However in a delightful finale the final speech of the evening touched everyone present and came from past President and club legend Peter Bennett who has returned restored wonderfully from a period of very serious illness. Peter moved everyone with his speech of thanks to everyone who has been there for him through his most difficult of times. Everyone at Astbury is delighted to see him back and on top form.

Below are the Captain's prize winners on the night, with Captain's Prize Winner Mike Wayne holding the Captain's Trophy won by Ged Charlton.

Overall Major winner of The Captain's Day Trophy was Ged Charlton ( Hcp 9) with Nett 65.

1st in division and 2nd overall and winning the Captain's Prize was Mike Wayne Nett 65.