Captain's Prize Competition

Two hundred golfers enjoyed the weather on Sunday during Dave Mace's Captain's Prize competition. 

This year invitations were extended to the Artisans and Junior Sections. James Sawkins scooped the best Junior Prize with 32 points and Mark Bibby was victorious over the Artisans with a worthy 40 points on the West Course. 

In the Ladies Section, Christine Frost took 1st Place with 40 points with Anne-Marie Forrester finishing Runner-Up with 37 points. 

The best team score was worked out from the 3 best totals from the 4, John Calver, Frank Bristow, John Slater & David Horder finished on 106 points (West Course) winning on countback with Andrew Doyle, Roger Tilley, Rolf Nuijens & Bob Wilson finishing on 105 points (East Course) again winning on countback. 

John Slater claimed the overall winner's prize with 42 points (West Course), the only score in the 40's from the Men. Lawrence Beckett was close behind taking 1st place on the West course with 39 points along with 'in form' Dave Nash taking 1st place on the East, again with 39 points. 

     

The Raffle and Auction of some superb items ended what was a faultless day, with everyone's help an estimated £2500 was raised for the Captain's Charity. 

Click here to view all of the images from the day.

July Medal

An excellent Nett 69 saw Sharon Brooks romp away with the Medal played over the East course. Countback was needed to separate runner up spot from third place, with Dewanne Puddick just pipping Christine McGarry both having shot nett 72's. In the Bronze section it was Maureen Stock who took top spot with a nett 72, Gilly Ashley was the runner-up with a nett 75 and Courtney Taylor third with a nett 76.

Stableford

Dave Sullivan Snr was in fine form last Thursday shooting 39pts from the yellow tees in the Stableford and winning the excellent Rifle Club trophy at the same time. Simon Jenman was a close second on a day of good scoring with 38pts with Chris Clegg third on 37pts.



The best players in the world have gathered at the Home of Golf this week to do battle for the 144th Open Championship over the historic Old Course in St Andrews. 

Although defending champion Rory McIlroy will be absent because of injury, an extremely strong field has assembled, including all of the players in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking (save for the Northern Irishman.) 

World Number two Jordan Spieth is in confident mood coming into the week on the back of yet another victory - this time in the John Deere Classic in Illinois. If the 21-year-old wins a third straight Major championship here in St Andrews he will, not only be three quarters of the way to an historic "Grand Slam," but he will also overtake McIlroy as the World's Number 1 golfer. 

Looking to deny Spieth will be a host of form players, including his countrymen Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson, as well as last week's Scottish Open winner Rickie Fowler. 

The Old Course looks to be in pristine condition and the players have been full of praise for the quality of the surfaces following their practice rounds. After the rigours of Chambers Bay, the field will be delighted to do battle for a Major championship on greens that run pure and true. 

A decent amount of rainfall leading up to this event means golf's "Grand Old Lady" is looking greener than for some past championships. The putting surfaces look likely to be a touch more receptive than usual and, if the wind doesn't blow too aggressively, we might see more shots played through the air than run along the links turf. 

However, the weather forecast for the week looks relatively unsettled and squally showers could be a feature. As with any links course, the wind might be a significant factor at St Andrews. Last time The Open was here in 2010 conditions favoured one side of the draw considerably and there's every chance that good fortune in terms of tee times could play a part again this time out. 

Key hole: 17th. Arguably, the most famous hole in world golf, if the competition is tight as the leaders reach the Road Hole for the final time, this is where it could be won and lost. With the hotel and out of bounds forcing players left from the tee, the approach shot is extremely difficult to a narrow green protected by the infamous Road Hole bunker. Beyond the green is the road and boundary wall, both making an up-and-down extremely difficult. 

Skills required: Strategy and long putting. The key this week will be to find the right areas off the tees and to avoid the punishing fairway bunkers. Owing to the sprawling putting surfaces, players will face a high percentage of long first putts this week so getting the speed right early will be of crucial importance. 

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