MINEHEAD & West Somerset GC Open Week 2025 attracted the largest number of entrants ever with visitors coming from all parts of England and Wales.

On Friday an Open Scramble which for the first time was a mixed event, proved popular with 140 entrants.

Scoring was good, with the field led by the Minehead team of David Farmer, Archie Walsh, Martyn Kitchen and Ben Gregory with a gross 60 (-12) and a nett 54 (-18) to take first prize.

The team of Gareth Storey, Sean Riordan (both Wenvoe Castle GC), Ian Groves and Nick Hill (both Minehead GC) took second place with a nett 55.

The best visiting team finished fourth overall with a nett 56 comprising Andy Jones, John Parsons, Mike Robinson and David Hawkins (Taunton & Pickeridge GC). Overall, there were an incredible 219 birdies and four eagles recorded on the day.

The second day produced some excellent golf in the Individual Open – Stableford. A field of 93 competitors including 11 players with a handicap of 3 or lower took on the challenge.

A brisk north east wind that prevailed throughout the day and scoring reflected the conditions with late entrant Matthew Pennington (Minehead GC) the winner scoring 41 points with 6 gross birdies.

The runner up and best visitor with 39 points was Richard Alsop (Bromsgrove Golf Centre) with Ellis Taylor (Minehead GC) third on 38.

A mention also for Emma Harris (Minehead GC) a relative newcomer to the sport who played superbly to be sixth with 36 points.

Sunday saw 116 competitors and a mix of Men and Ladies entering the 4BBB Open. In first place with a magnificent 45 points were Aiden Kileen (Fulford Heath GC) and James McMahon (Olton GC), one ahead of Hazel and Nigel Binding (Minehead GC) with 44.

The Seniors Mens’ Open Scramble on Monday provided the final competition with 84 competitors divided into 28 teams who battled a strong north east wind throughout. Scoring proved to be the closest of the week, as four teams finished with a nett 62.

After countback Tim Evans, Roger Read and Nigel Trevelyan (Minehead GC),were the winners just ahead of the best visiting team of Peter B Gilpin, Mervyn Kinch and Steve Taylor (Worlebury GC). Third place went to James Bond, Simon Denman and Eddy Wallen (Minehead GC) while Lee Ayres, Nigel Gardner and Pat Vaughan finished fourth.

Grateful thanks go to Glenn Ross, General Manager, Becca and the Clubhouse staff for all their work to make the Open Week such a success.

It was a pleasure to welcome back so many visitors in what for many has become an annual pilgrimage.

The club has also received much positive feedback with many comments referring to the condition of the course and for that we must thank Rob Barrett (head greenkeeper) and his team for all the hard work they put in not only in preparation of the Open Week but throughout the year.

On Wednesday the Minehead Seniors played a Stableford at the end of which four players returned with 38 points. Following countback Doug Hayhoe was the winner, Peter young was second, Malcolm Bruce third and Edwin Frewin was fourth.

Friday’s Stableford saw a three way tie on 40 points, but eventually it was Tom Cotter who came first, Mike O’Keefe was second and Nigel Trevelyan third.