Home advantage pays off as golfers tuck into the Pork Pie Open

Melton pair D. Mackie and B. Manship took the honours in testing conditions.

Around 208 competitors from all over the Midlands competed in the event, sponsored by Stephen Hallam of Dickinson and Morris of Melton Mowbray.

Besides various prizes, every entrant received a delicious pork pie to take away following the fourball better ball stableford, played from the white competion tees.

The day started somewhat overcast, but warm, with a slight testing headwind on the first few holes.

With the greens being soft and very receptive it was no surprise when some high scores were returned early in the day.

The course was presented in excellent condition which was testament to all the hard work carried out by head greenkeeper Paul Robinson’s team.

As the day progressed and the weather deteriorated it became harder to play consistent golf and keep the scoring low.

By mid afternoon the drizzle turned to torrential rain.

It was at this point a number of teams left the course, although some hardened golfers played through the rain to the very bitter end.

The halfway house was manned by the the Lady Captain and several lady helpers, who helped raise over £500 for the Captain’s charity.

Mackie and Manship finished on 45 points, ahead of runners-up D. Branson and T. Lee, with 44 points.

M. Blackman and J. Burgess finished third with 42 points (back 9), ahead of J. Goddard and J. Cliffe in fourth, also with 42 points and fifth-placed M. Watchorn and M. Curtis with 41 points (back 6) .

In sixth were M. Sissons and C. Ryl with 41 points (back 9), ahead of fellow top-10 finishers B. Kevan and N. Eaves 41 points (back 3), D. Poolan and J. Honeywood 41 points (back 9), N. Farish and M. Hall 41 points (back 9) and A. Renwick and T. Earl 41 points.

Nearest to the pork pie on first fairway was D. Branson while nearest pin on the par-three fifth was C. Ryl.

G. Stephens was nearest pin on the par-three seventh with P. Mannion nearest the pin on the par-three 14th.

Adding to his first-place finish, Manship was also nearest the pin on the par-three 16th.