Three golfers with matching handicaps each carded the same number of points to top the table in a trophy competition for seniors at Leighton Buzzard’s Plantation Road club.
Scotsman Ken Wilson, Irishman Ian Alexander and Englishman Steve Marriott all finished with 40 points, leaving the winner of the Austin Farrell Trophy to be determined on “countback” – the points scored over the last nine holes.
Fife-born Ken came out on top, thanks to an impressive 23 points on the back nine, ten of which were scored on the last three holes boosted by birdies on the 16th and 18th holes.
It was a finish Ken’s club rivals could not match and earned him his first individual trophy win in his 18 years as a member of the Leighton club.
“I’d had a pretty decent round, but the points scored on the last three holes made all the difference” said 68-year-old Ken, who was born in St Andrews, the home of golf.
Ken, runner-up Ian and third-placed Steve all played off a handicap of 13 – with all now cut a shot after their tip-top performance.
Other leading scores in order of finishing were: 39pts – John Tarbox, Brian Jones, Graham Goodge; 38pts – Danny Nairne; 37pts – David Roberts, Philip Spratt-Callaghan; 36pts – Terry Wright, Shane Bentley, Philip Whitecross.
Recruitment consultant Jack Jones is the new holder of Leighton’s Croxford Cup less than a year after joining the Plantation Road club. Jack, 28, was on top form with his putting to card 41 points to win his first trophy, beating Stephen Schmidt and David Evans by a shot. Paul Bishop, Phil Coumbe and Alex Gowen headed a chasing pack with 39 points.
Maryland-born Patti Marriott won Christine Rimmer’s Ladies Captains Day competition with 38 points, one-clear of Bronze “A” division club colleague Jane Tizzard.
Rosalind Miles topped the Silver Division on countback from Gill Ladd and Josie Sheridan after all three ladies carded 36 points, while Margaret Osborne won the Bronze “B” Division with 28 points, one clear of Jean Bendall and Virginia Gillett.
There were nearest-the-pin prizes for Diana Pellow and Joanna Cox; longest drive awards to Jenny Stafford, Judi Malpass and Anne Grey; Barbara Rickard won the prize for the best front nine score; Jan Harries the prize for the best back nine score and Val Smith was the nine-hole winner.
Former RAF serviceman Robbie John was flying high on Sunday after winning Leighton’s Past Captain’s competition with 37 points, three clear of runner-up Jeremy Taylor and third place Brian Carter, current club President.