Former Rolls Royce boss David Roberts delivered a classy high-octane performance to win one of Leighton Buzzard golf club’s oldest trophies, the Wallis Cup.
The Leighton club was formed in 1925, and the trophy was donated by Mr O C Wallis, a founder member, Club President in 1926 and Captain in 1927….and has been played for annually ever since.
Granddad David, 71, who worked for the renowned made-by-hand car company for more than 20 years before becoming a financial advisor, is a former Captain of the Seniors section at Leighton and a current Director on the club Board of management.
He carded a score of +7 to win his first major singles trophy since moving to Leighton and joining the Plantation Road club 11 years ago.
David, who beat 128 other entrants for the trophy turned the clock back to the days when he was playing off a handicap of 12 to beat 14–handicapper Simon Rose by a hole. Both winner David and runner-up Simon have had their handicaps reduced by two shots to 17 and 12 respectively.
Steve Baines took third place with a score of +4, a hole clear of Seniors Champion David Banwell, Christian Lester and John Mckay, who all finished with +3.
Ladies Captain Christine Rimmer, who stands down after today’s (Tues) meeting, has presented trophies to winners of competitions and other events during her year in office.
In her first year as a member, Ros Miles collected the Championship Cup and the Croxford Cup; Lynne Newnham was presented with the Grannies Salver and Jackie Phelps received the Rosewear Bowl and the Most Improved golfer award. Other trophy winners were Jackie Stimpson (Handicap Cup); Patti Marriott (Captains Cup) and Anne Tilbury (Olive Wood Trophy).
Judy Ammon won a prize for the most birdies in the season; Barbara Rickard for the most reduced handicap and Vivien Vale was awarded the nine-hole merit prize.
There was a special prize too for 10-year-old Sommer Chan for her “exceptional performance” in the Ladies Handicap Cup played in September. A pupil at Linslade Academy, Sommer, who took up golf at the age of six, shot a nett 78 playing off a handicap of 19. She now plays off 17.7.
Christine’s successor as Ladies Captain, Sandra Carter, will formally be installed next Tuesday at a “drive in” ceremony being organised by her Vice Captain Lesley Bednarek.
Christine and Club Captain Simon Rossiter and Stephanie Howlett and Howard Till won their games for Leighton in a Mixed match against Mid Herts, and while Graham and Diana Pellow managed a tie, the other five pairs lost their games.