Golf round-up (South Essex): Dramatic play-off loss for Richard...

Thorpe Hall golfer Jeffs, who held a five-stroke advantage over the field after three of the four rounds, finished on 290 along with Middleton, who had been six behind the leader at the three-quarters stage.

It was apt that Middleton took the title in the event at West Essex, as he had the appropriately named Jimmy Winner acting as his caddy!

Jeffs held a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage and, until Middleton's late surge, had looked a winner all the way.

However, the Thorpe man received whole-hearted praise for accepting his final disappointment with the degree of sportsmanship we've come to expect from amateur golfers.

The play-off started at the 17th, which was halved. Coming back up the long par five 18th, Jeffs saw his drive land in trees on the right.

Middleton bisected the fairway and his second shot found the edge of the green.

Jeffs managed to get his second up to green level, but it was some yards wide in fluffy rough.

A lob shot did not quite reach the green, but he did make the par five. Two putts, one about the same length as he had missed on the same green a few minutes earlier, gave Middleton the crown.

Canons Brook, in the shape of Warren Hayter, Andrew Fells and Andrew Thompson, beat off the challenge of Thorpe's Jeffs, Simon Goy and Bill Preedy to collect the ESPLEN team prize for the First time since it was played for in 1924.

For the third year running the best under-21 player was Orsett's Stuart Fromant, who lives in Wickford, with a score of 295 - five behind the leaders.

This will again see Fromant through to the national under-21 championship at Woburn later in the year.

Bentley's Michael Robinson, with 38 Stableford points, won the Essex Associates meeting for the Woodman Trophy.

Best-placed local man was A Argent (Rochford) on 35. The Basildon pair of W Martin and D Whitewood were successful for the third time this year in the afternoon doubles. They had 24 points.

Judith's the Silver lady

Rochford Ladies Silver medal went to Judith Scoging (7) with a net 74 from Margaret Brockes (16) 75 and Ilean Eley (18) 77.

Vice-captain Tina Dye (21) took the bronze award on 83 from Pauline Cousins (22) 84 and Pauline Richardson (22) 85.

Kindred spirits

Rochford Hundred held their Kindred Club Shield qualifier with the top four pairs winning through to represent them at Belfairs on July 8.

John Tann and Dick Clarke led the way in the Greensome, firing 11 pars and birdies at 14 and 16 on their way to 39 Stableford points.

They pipped Rif Buta and Steve Smyth on countback. They also had 11 pars with birdies at six and ten which helped repair the damage of a blob on the 16th.

Third on 38 were Mark Fisher and Trevor Watson, who eased out former captain Tony Fell and Derek Philbrick on countback.

Reserve pairs are Talat Buta and Paul Hooper (37) along with Mike Smith and Russell Birch (36).

Medal win for Kevin

The June medal at Belfairs saw an in-form Kevin Buck set another very low target for division one players.

Having won the April event with a net 59, Kevin completed the front nine in 37, which included a birdie on the 314 yard par four second.

He then burned up the back nine with a string of pars, a birdie on the par four 16th and only one dropped shot on the par five 18th.He finished on 72, two over par, giving a net score of 60.

In second spot was Luke Alden (14) who, after a steady start, managed to birdie holes 13 and 14. With only three dropped shots, he completed the back nine in 36 to finish with a net 65. Third place went to Russell Lee (8) with a net 73.

Division Two was won by Peter Ellis (18) with a net 67 followed by Brian Eeles (16) on 70 and Brian Harvey (19) on 72.

Division three saw Brian "Helicopter" Hellicar win his second medal of the season with a net 67 while Brian Stivey took second place on 72 and G Bishop third on 73.

Maryann scoops captain's trophy

Thorpe Hall Ladies held their Captain's Day in the middle of the club's Millennium Festival in beautiful weather and wonderful surroundings.

In the morning an 18-hole Stableford was played with the Captain's Prize going to Maryann Perry on 38 points.

Scratch prize went to Sally Barber on 29. First handicap went to Ann Swallow from Lisa Blackman, Henny Bush, Daphne Cooper and Brenda Price, who were all on 37 points.

The Past Captains' prize went to Helen Morgan, while Mo Moody took the committee award.

Ann Swallow was nearest the pin on the 13th and Phyllis Pinkerton was best on the short holes.

Betty West was tops on the first nine and Lesley Sullivan in front on the second nine. Betty Hunt captured the veterans award, with the senior vets prize going to Pam Ellis.

The afternoon nine-hole American Texas Scramble went to Brenda Price, Sue Warman and Shirley Willmore (29 net) from Shirley Lecorgne, June Ball and Jean James (31).

From the tenth, Sally Barber, Henny Bush and Wendy Jones won on 32 from Ann Swallow, Pat Jeffery and Betty Hunt.

The Captain's Day Millennium Festival week, prize aggregate of morning Stableford winners were Eunice D Vries, Maryann Perry and Betty Sharp on 106 points from Ann Swallow, Pat Jeffery and Betty Hunt (104).

Triple win at Castle

Castle Point held their championship for low, mid and high handicaps with three cups up for grabs - all named after founder members.

In the low handicap section (1-12) the competition was very close with two members coming in with net 64s. It was decided on the better back nine with Gary Whitworth (10) claiming the Peter King Cup ahead of Ian Moore (12).

In the mid-handicap section (13-20) Mark DeKoster claimed the Terry Swaby Cup with a net 66 (81-15) with club captain Bob Bendall runner-up on net 69 (82-13).

The high handicap section for the Norman Newton Cup was won by Richard Crawford (net 73) with new club member Loi Lee securing runners-up position with a net 77.

Christine enjoys a perfect captain's driving-in day

In the words of the song, Christine Berry's Lady Captain's proceedings at Belfairs provided a perfect day.

The large attendance saw Miss M Owen win the morning Stableford with 35 points, playing one over her handicap of 32.

The scratch prize was won by Miss S Meddle with a gross 84. This was donated by club president Mr B Meddle and the Club Captain's prize, donated by Glen Bremerman, went to Mrs P Buck (34 points).

Longest drive-in on the 11th was by Mrs S Ankin and Mrs M Bremerman was nearest the pin on the first.

The 13-hole afternoon Greensome saw the ladies team up with the men and victory went to Miss T Hirons and K Buck with 31 points.

Mrs P Buck and H Thomas were runners-up on 30.

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