Golf: No snags for Snuggs in Chichester championship

Mike Snuggs, centre, with his Chichester vets' championship trophy

There was a record-breaking performance in the Chichester veterans' championship as Mike Snuggs compiled an aggregate scratch score of 159 over the two rounds to become champion for the second time.

The first round on the Tower course was played in cool, breezy conditions but Snuggs played superbly for a magnificent 76 to take a seven-stroke lead into the second round.

It was beautiful two days later and with the Cathedral course in pristine condition, Snuggs played solidly to record an 83 - extending his lead to win by nine strokes from Jim Robertson and Harry Harper. His aggregate score of 159 is the best ever recorded in the vets’ championship.

In the handicap competition, there were superb rounds on day one by John Paul (nett 62) and captain Robert Stainsby (63) to give them an early lead going into the second round.

However a storming round by Robertson (62) saw him come through to take the trophy by three strokes from Paul, who won the seniors’ trophy for the best nett score by an over-70.

Results: Championship - Vets’ champion Mike Snuggs 159 scratch, 2 Harry Harper 168, 3 Rob Baldwin 170, 4 Mike Harrington 172; Handicap Trophy - Winner Jim Robertson 130 nett, 2 John Paul 133, 3 Robert Stainsby 135, 4 Alan Hance 137; Seniors’ Trophy - John Paul.

Chichester veterans played their annual fixture against the club’s men’s section for the Rife Cup in strong winds and threatening rain.

A close contest ensued with four of the six matches going to the 18th green. In the very last match, Dave Dumbrell and Steve Strickland secured a half for the men to win the trophy back from the vets 3½-2½.

Results: C Goldsmid & J Robertson lost 4&3 to S Farnes & M Bell; M Snuggs & B Sharpe lost 5&4 to K Mann & S Homer; N Hobbs & R Chandler beat M Scott & D Hungate 1 up; B Martin & C Page lost 2 down to Simon Homer & J Gibbs; E Bourne & R Holden beat R Kilhams & A Taphouse 2 up; M Chapman & B Shrives-Wrist halved with D Dumbrell & S Strickland.

It is always difficult for the veterans away to Old Thorns, but this time it was a lot closer. Once again the match was decided by just half a point as Old Thorns triumphed by 3½-2½.

Results: R Stainsby & B Santer lost 3&2; N Hobbs & C Goldsmid won 5&4; H Harper & D Blythe halved; B Martin & B Sharpe lost 2&1; P Green & K Williams lost 5&3; E Bourne & R Parker won 5&3.

COWDRAY PARK

Cowdray Park seniors continued their recent fine run of results in inter-club matches with a famous 5-3 win away to the Hindhead Stags.