THE Men’s Club Championships at Yelverton Golf Club were held recently and attracted 121 competitors.

Running over two days, the field was reduced after the first day’s play to 54 qualifiers who competed for two trophies. These trophies were awarded for the best scratch and handicap net scores. The scratch result went right down to the wire; with score equalling results Ryan Acre and Mark Harrington had to decide the winner with a sudden death playoff.

Ryan had been in this position before in a previous year but lost out. After holes 10 and 11 he must have felt it wasn’t to be, but for the supportive words from his girlfriend. Ryan was four behind with only six holes to play and Mark wasn’t making mistakes.

Risks for Ryan were the order of the day and an excellent birdie on the par 4 13th got him off to a great start. He then took a driver on the 14th just missing the green to the left, a chip and a putt gave him another birdie.

On the 15th came another birdie after a drive also just missed the green. So playoffs loomed and on the second playoff hole, Ryan managed to clinch the title that had eluded him before and ended two wonderful days of golf between two very good players.

The handicap competition was more straightforward and saw Alfie Lightfoot consolidate his win with a two shot margin. For Alfie, an Army vet of 31 years, this was his first Moody Russell Cup win. When asked about his championships he praised his playing partners, the great condition of the course, the excellent weather and the ‘rub of the green’.

Scratch Results: 1, Ryan Acres – 142; 2, Mark Harrington – 142; 3, Dan Rosevear – 144; 4, Colin Nolan – 152. Handicap Results: 1, Alfie Lightfoot – 138; 2, Ryan Acres – 140; 3, Mark Harrington – 140; 4, John Crocker – 142.

Captain’s Prize Day Overall Results: 1, S. Rosewell and B Lewis – 48 pts; 2, M Evans and L. Kowalski – 47pts; 3, R Burrows and PS Mitchelmore – 47pts.