Sponsoring Southern Counties Golf Event

On 8th July 2022, The Southern Counties Golf Event sponsored by Waterman Aspen was contested by six authorities – Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire, North Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

The history of this competition dates back to 1989 when local highway authorities decided to compete against each other for an annual trophy. The format is nine holes of Greensomes followed by 18 holes of individual Stableford. The collective results being added to the final score to place each authority from 1-6.

Disaster nearly struck before a ball was even hit as the diligent and amazing organiser, Colin Chandler, was struck down with Covid so the North Somerset team, in a mild panic, took the reigns and proceeded to put together Colin’s master plan. Thankfully, Colin is the most meticulous of organisers and, apart from having to acquire a turbo boosted V8 golf buggy in the afternoon to place all the closest to pin and longest drive markers out before the teams had got to the holes, everything went smoothly.

After the morning session, Hampshire stole an early lead with 59 points from North Somerset with 58 and third was Dorset with 56. However, this can quickly change as the 18-hole individual scores come in throughout the day.

Now, you may think that the idea is to win the competition and take the glory home to your authority. But actually the unofficial winners are the team that comes second because the winners must host the following year – that is not an easy task! Tension was running high back at the clubhouse as to who was going to be the victorious team and, after a very nice meal, together with preliminary prizegiving for two’s, longest drive and nearest the pin, the results were read out.

Special mentions go to Katie Dove-Meadows for winning the longest drive and to one of the players from Dorset who hit the most outrageous tee shot on the par 3 6^th. A beautifully flighted tee shot which landed well short of the green, hit the bank of the ditch and proceeded to roll up the green for 30yds before settling 2yds from the pin for a less than well deserved two. And a prize for closest to the pin!

The final results

• 6^th Cornwall 206 points
• 5^th Hampshire 237 points
• 4^th Somerset 241 points

It then became quite tense in the dining room as it was announced that there was a tie for 2^nd and 3^rd both on 245 points. Wiltshire were announced as third place and, with a huge roar, Dorset announced as second place. That left North Somerset as the outright winners with 248 points and with all the joys of hosting again next year.

The day was a huge success and enjoyed by all. Thank you to everyone who took part.