Lyndhurst’s Griffiths and company storm to Captains’ Trophy triumph

NEW Forest Golf Club’s Captains’ Challenge Trophy finally took place after two postponements, but 40 undeterred Seniors took to the Lyndhurst-based golf course.

Although there was a biting wind at times, the sun shone throughout, and the ground underfoot was quite firm.

All ten teams scored well, with four achieving more than 130 points, but past Seniors captain Ivor Griffiths’ team finished well in front on 138 points, winning him the Captains’ Challenge Trophy for the third time in its 17-year history.

The Stag Trophy for the captain with the best individual score this year went to Rob Young, who scored 40 points. The score tied with Griffiths, but with 21 points on the back nine, he clinched it on countback.

Results: 1, Ivor Griffiths, Phil Walker, Laurie Burn and Chris Webb, 138 points; 2, Ross Matthews, Ted Groves, Alan Clifford and Jim Worsley, 135 pts.

Later in the month, 47 New Forest Golf Club Seniors turned up for the Ron Waters Shield, a 10-hole Stableford competition.

Competition was intense, but the two lowest handicapped players, Steve Duckett and Laurie Burn, managed to score sufficient birdies to ensure they led the field comfortably.

Results – Division One: 1, Steve Duckett, 26 points; 2, Laurie Burn, 25 points; 3, Malcolm Guy, 23 points; 4, Steve Lupton, 22 points. Division Two: 1, Colin Bailey, 23 points; 2, Charlie Hughes, 22 points (back three= 7); 3, Robin Swanston, 22 points (back three= 5); 4, Wayne Niles, 22 points (back three= 4).