THE first major competition of the year – the March Hare 4Ball better ball event – took place at Cricket St Thomas on Friday and was attended by 60 Seniors forming 30 teams.

A glorious sunny Spring day augured well for some exciting golf which proved to be the case as no fewer than eight teams broke the par barrier even playing off 3/4 handicap.

Danny Dowell & Chris Basterfield were leaders in the club house for some time with a creditable 40 points.

This was duly bettered by two sides, both returning scores of 42.

After the scrunineers had examined the cards, John Pearce and Nick George were adjudged winners by virtue of a better back 9.

Results: 1 John Pearce & Nick George 42 points; 2 Richard Forster & Maurice Arnold 42 points; 3 Danny Dowell & Chris Basterfield 40 points. Last Monday 30 members of the Senior Section at Cricket St Thomas formed ten teams of three and entered a Texas Scramble competition.

The rain affected course made for heavy going with no buggies permitted.

With players carrying their clubs, some fatigue was experienced, and scores were generally sub standard.

Clear winners of the tournament was the team led by Mike Hone who returned a score of 62.84, finishing three shots clear of their nearest rivals.

Result: 1 Mike Hone, Bob Barrow & Richard Forster 62.84; 2 Jerry Stephens, Roger Withers & Malcolm Roy 65.70; 3 Nick George, John Pearce & Barrie Heath 66.67.

A fine spring morning greeted the Seniors on Wednesda, and 33 members entered the three man Yellow Ball competition.

Only two teams managed to lose the yellow ball which ensures their elimination from the competition.

Of the remaining nine sides, two were well ahead of the field, and the result was decided on the18th hole with Martin Bargery’s trio emerging triumphant on 125 points.

Roger Stone’s team recorded a similar figure but had an inferior back nine.

Result 1 Martin Bargery, Gordon Bareham & Tony Stenhouse 125 points; 2 Roger Stone, Trevor Dobson & John Pearce 125 points; 3 Rod Young, Richard Forster & Alan Davis 117 points.