OAKE Manor Golf Club Captains' Charity 2023 has raised more than £7,000 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, writes Peter Swann.

At this year's annual general meeting, the outgoing captain Dave Kinnear presented a cheque for £7,339.47 which was greatly received by Debbie Birtwhisle on behalf of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The money was raised by the Oake Manor golfers in a Charity Golf Day and many other fundraising activities during the past 12 months

Pictured, left to right, are: Trevor Cook the 2023 Seniors Captain, Pam Kinnear Ladies Captain, Dave Kinnear Club Captain and Debbie Birtwisle, from the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

This year's club captain Charles St George, ladies captain Liz How and seniors captain Gary Jackson staged a 4 Ball Bowmaker Competition for their Drive In on Saturday when 200 golfers took part.

The winning team with a superb score of 94 points were Jeremy Winter, James Macey, Colin Dyke and Steve Barham. A close second with 93 points were Stuart Coleman, Daniel White, Richard Connell and Shaun Anthony while, in third place with 92 points, were Adam Howe, Ryan Warfield, Simon Dyke and Tim Dyke. There were a number of spot prizes; Rob Lock was nearest the pin on the sixth hole, Roy Sully nearest the pin on the ninth hole, and Janet Howe nearest the tenth.

On the 12th hole, Rose Jarvis had the longest drive for the ladies and Kieran Ashton the longest drive for the men.

The Seniors played a 15-hole 4 clubs and a putter competition on the Monday. Andy Stevenson came first with 31 points, Michael Bright came second, also with 31 points, and Glyn Pearce was third with 30 points.

Kieran Wyatt won the Wednesday Midweek Stableford competition, scoring 36 points, Tom Hawkings came second with 33 points and Simon Molloy was third, also with 33 points.

Nathan Wyatt won the previous week's Saturday Stableford competition. The first three players all scored 31 points, but on count back Nathan came first, Simon Dyke was second and Ryan Warfield came third.

Richard Connell won the Sunday Stableford competition with an excellent 39 points, while Matthew Bright came second with 35 points and Nick Putt was third with 31 points.

Janet Howe won the Fran Thompson Trophy on Ladies Day on a Tuesday. Janet scored 16 points in the nine-hole Stableford Competition. Sue Corlett came second with 15 points and Karen Grabham was third with 14 points.

It has been good to play competitions again after the wet and blustery weather has forced several competitions to be called off. Members cannot remember such a bad spell which has prevented play.