By Dave Bruce

Axe Cliff Golf Club senior member Peter Jakes has been organising a friendly match against a team from his former club, Ashley Wood, near Blandford, for the past 18 years on a home and away basis.

He recently held the 19th game at Axe Cliff but it actually started in 2003. Since then they have alternated each year with Axe Cliff winning 12 and Ashley Wood six and one match drawn.

Peter joined Ashley 40 years ago before becoming a member of Axe Cliff in 2003 when he persuaded Nick Sellick, now a retired regional manager from Hall & Woodhouse and former playing partner, to get a team together to play against Axe Cliff to keep his connection going with the two clubs.

Many of the Axe Valley players have played in each game, but the only one, together with Peter, from Axe is Geoff Hughes, now 86 years-old old. I have been pleased to play in 15 of the games and its my favourite competition as I have won prizes in each game. Mind you thanks to the generosity of Nick , Pete and Andy everyone goes home with a prize including a bottle of Hall & Woodhouse's best beer.

This year Axe Cliff won 4.5 to 1.5 and retained the cup. Everyone enjoyed the four-course meal served up by Clare and her team in the clubhouse afterwards.

Last Friday Axe Club held the annual Ron Miller Claret Jug team event where both team members' stableford scores count. Ron was a popular former treasurer but sadly passed away a number of years ago but his memory lives on.

This year Richard Bush and handicap secretary, Chris Read were the winners with a fine 70 points. Close behind came that promising partnership of Richard Orsman and Adrian Bishop on 69 points. A new partnership, I believe, of Nigel Garwood and Bob Berry took third place with 68 points but only on countback from the experienced pair of Norman Bowles and Phil Christmas.

Ladies

Last Wednesday, vice-captain Paula Heasman, had the choice of competition and she choose three clubs and a putter with an additional prize for the lady with the least number of putts. The clear winner was Sandra Walker (34 points) with Pauline Willis taking second spot on 27. The least number of putts was shared equally between Stella Thompson and Jill Wellington with only 34.

Axe Cliff were beaten by Wrangaton at Teign Valley in the semi-final of the Sheelah Creasey competition, but every game was close going to the 16th or further with the final result being three games to two. So they can hold their heads up high, doing themselves and Axe Cliff proud.