Cornwall Golf Union
Gary Stone - Seniors County Champion 2021
Gary Stone (Bude & N Cornwall) became Cornwall Seniors County Champion at Mullion GC yesterday after making up the one shot deficit he trailed by after the first of two rounds at Britain’s most southerly course. Having shot a two over par 72 in Tuesday’s opener Stone found better form in round 2 as he returned a level par 70 to finish ahead of first round leader Richard Bunch (Cape Cornwall).
The Mullion course was presented in excellent condition and the two day benign conditions were welcomed by all of the 36 competitors playing the two day event.
Bunch led at the end of the first round having scored a 1 over 71 but things had changed by halfway through the second round. Through 9 holes Stone was -3 with 4 birdies and just the one dropped shot whilst Bunch was level. The latter fell away with a 3 over 73 and will rue his last two holes, both of which he bogeyed. Stone too faltered slightly with 4 back 9 bogeys but a 3 over 9 was enough to see him claim a two shot victory over Bunch. Stone was elated but struggled for words to descibe his victory saying 'To be honest I am absolutely buzzing but a little bit speechless'. He thanked his caddie Andrew Pelling for the vital support during the second round.
Third place went to Perranporth’s Simon Knowles with rounds of 72 and 75 whilst 2018 Seniors Champion David Kneebone (Truro) was fourth (76 + 72).
Bunch’s 71 was the best round of Day 1 whilst Stones’ was the best on day 2 closely followed by a 71 from Phil Clayton (Newquay). 2020 Champion Mark Blaber (Carlyon Bay) also finished on the same total as Kneebone but lost out on countback.
The caddie influence was repeated in the nett element of the competition which was won by Mark Fox (China Fleet) with nett rounds of 67 and 68 and a total of 135 two shots better than runner up Simon Lewis (Mullion). Fox had son Tom on the bag in what was a complete role reversal for the current Mens County Mens Champion. Lewis had returned an excellent gross 73 on Day 1 and at that stage had a 5 shot lead over Fox but he fell away somewhat with a Day 2 nett 75. Third nett spot went to John Paterson (Mullion) with a nett total of 142.
Mullion Captain Brian Wooler welcomed the Cornwall Golf Union and all the competitors to the club saying what an honour it had been to host the competition. CGU President Andrew Clotworthy thanked the club for their welcome, the condition of the course and their customary hospitality before presenting the prizes.
Day 2 also saw a stableford competition in the now customary 5 different seniors age categories. Winning the overall best stableford score of the day and the 55-59 year category was Simon Tonkin (Merlin) with 39 points. The 60-64 years category winner was Stuart Keenan (Mullion) with 35, whilst Paul Upperton (Budock Vean) also scored 35 to take the 65-69 group prize. Brian Joy (West Cornwall) scored 36 points to top the 70-74 year old category whilst 80 year old Arthur Panter (Treloy) made an impressive 33 points to claim the prize in the 75 years plus category.
Stableford Prizewinners
55-59 Simon Tonkin 39, Brian Green (Newquay) 37 and Ian Colwill (Trevose) 36
60-64 Stuart Keenan 35, Chris Pascoe (Mullion) 35 and Alan Bulpin (Mullion) 34
65-69 Paul Upperton 35, Graham Hughes (Trevose) 35 and David Law (Mullion) 34
70-74 Brian Joy 36, Lloyd Addison (Porthpean) 35 and Graham Etherton (Perranporth) 33
75+ Arthur Panter 33
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