Leading Thorpe Hall golfer Richard McEvoy, whose ambition is to play in the Great Britain team defending the Walker Cup against the United States next year, is preparing for the new season with overseas action.

He flew off to Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday and is staying and practising at the Avondale Golf Club, which is a "sister" to Thorpe Hall.

Between January 27 and 30 he takes part in the Lake MacQuarie Amateur Open before flying off to Melbourne. From February 1 to 7 he plays in the Victoria Amateur Open. Both these events are major competitions Down Under.

Upon his return to England, Richard attends Woodhall Spa for England coaching between February 16 and 19 and then, on the 27th, he's off to Spain with the England party for the Spanish Amateur Open.

Then he again goes to Woodhall Spa for three more days coaching before jetting back to Spain with the England party for the Sherry Cup. It's a tremendous achievement for Richard, who lives in Shoebury, to have been selected for England.

Richard's bid for the top is being backed in a big way by Hertfordshire firm Command Security Services Ltd.

Their director of sales and marketing Derek Winn, whose own 14-year-old son is heavily involved in golf and plays at Thorpe, is the man behind a unique sponsorship scheme.

The company, directors, clients and staff pay a montly sum into a Command Security Golf Sponsorship Club account, monies from which are donated to the Essex Amateur Golf Union.

Each month, through Golf Union secretary Pat Davies, a sum is paid to Richard to cover his expenses. The method avoids encroaching on his amateur status and the deal has been agreed for a three-year term to try and assist Richard and his parents and support his bid to play in as many of the top tournaments as possible.

Richard was voted Essex Golfer of the Year in 1999 and last season won the Sunningdale Foursomes and reached the British Amateur Championship semi-finals.

Richard McEvoy - aiming for golfing success in Australia

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Rose blooms in Hall's Stableford

The nine-hole Stableford at Thorpe Hall Ladies went to Rose Patten (18 points) from Helen Knatchbull (17).

Renata Jarvis beat Maryanne Perry on countback after both finished on 16.

The Greensomes Four-somes were won by Anna Leslie and Moria McHale on 35 net.

Other placings: 2, Pat Ball and Emma de Dries; 3, Wendy Elmore and June Ball; 4, Pam Ellis and Phyl Alcock; 5, Ann Swallow and Yvonne Buzer; 6, Lucille Palmer and Joanne Dean; 7, Hazel James and Caroline Dunn; 8, Paulette Brook and Julie Crocker.

Hanover's Regency Course ladies held a millennium Stableford which April Johnson (39) won. Latest medal winner was Madge Sodeau.

Hanover 12-holer quartet set record to win

Hanover Georgian course's 12-hole cross-country event was won with a record 12 under par total.

With teams playing off one-tenth of handicap, Dave Martin, Len Jacobs, Derek Blackman and Ray Holland took just 40.2 net strokes to take first prize.

Dave Bennett, Ernie Coleman, Colin Midson and Dave Midson claimed runner-up spot.

The latest Georgian medal was decided on countback after two players finished on three under par 70.

Ian Shadbolt (11) pipped Paul Williams (17) for the medal with David Martin (21) third two strokes behind.

Moncur leads team to glory

When the Essex Golf and Country Club hosted the first Essex Professional Golfers' Association Pro-Am alliance for the year, Terry Moncur (Langdon Hills), won the team event with a score of 138, eight under par.

He was teamed with amateurs, West Ham midfielder John Moncur his father John Moncur and Kevin Delaney.

After a short delay due to a heavy ground frost, 17 teams of one pro and three amateurs got off to a shotgun start.

Home pro Mark Spooner, with Eddie Shah, David Clarke and Gerry Spooner, were runners-up on countback with 140.

Third on the same total came Boyce Hill's Graham Burroughs with Terry Croker, Tony Martin and Ricky Hatton.

Croker took the day's nearest the pin prize, with Colchester's Ben Slater taking the amateur long drive award.

In the individual pro event, John Edgington (The Warren) had a hole-in-one at the fifth to share top honours with Darren Parker (Maylands) on one under par 72s, with Burroughs joint third with Mark Baker (Colchester).

Cyril proves his seniority

It was a case of nice one Cyril at Southend Golf Club in their latest medal competition. For steady old Cyril Elliott, with a gross 77 for net 65, was one of four players under handicap as he won the senior section event.

Lee Winsor (gross 75) pipped returning-to-form club captain Stan Ferguson (74) after both finished on net 66. Eddie Brown with a score of (80) 68 was fourth.

In the junior section, five players returned scores under their handicaps. Runaway winner was Barry "Hal" Sutton, who equalled his career best score of gross 75 for a net 62. Steady John Enfield (86-20=66) was runner-up with Dave Tew (85-18=67) third.

Tew triumphed over Joe Garnett (86-19=67) on countback and Eamonn Flynn was fifth with (83) 69.

Dressing with the times

The old very much gave way to the new at the annual captains' putt-out and drive-in at The Burstead Golf Club.

Arriving in a vintage car, retiring leaders Linda Wingfield and Barry Young donned early 19th century dress to putt-out on the 18th green. In contrast, futuristic suits were the theme for new captains Sue Hilton and Derek Rose, who both hit magnificent tee shots under much pressure and friendly banter.

After the ceremony, 150 members and guests retired to the clubhouse to enjoy the legendary hospitality that The Burstead offers.

Silver lady - Sue Hilton drives off, watched by Derek Rose

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

Bonallack takes route 66 to Division One medal

The first competitions of the new millennium took place in remarkably good weather at Thorpe Hall and Richard Bonallack won the Division One medal with a creditable 66 off his nine handicap.

Noel Simpson, who plays off 12, was runner-up, beating 11-handicapper Gordon Price on countback after both scored net 70s.

Division Two went to Robert Bassett, who plays off 22, with a net 67. Colin Roe, an 18-handicapper, was beaten on countback and both players' handicaps were cut by one.

The Division One Stableford was won by former chairman Frank Lockhart off 12. He beat nine-handicapper Steve Gargrave on countback after both had 36 points.

Division Two was won by Tony Kadwill with 38 points off 13. He now goes into Division One after his handicap was reduced to 12. Runner-up on 36 points was Brian Wells (20).

Scoring is hot stuff

Rochford Hundred's January medal competitions were played in totally contrasting conditions over the weekend but still produced some sizzling scores.

Saturday's damp conditions gave way to frosty, bone-hard surfaces the next day.

Peter Leslie took the Division One honours on Saturday with 78-10=68 ahead of Mark Fisher (75-6=69) who edged out Rob Moss (77-8=69) for second place on countback.

Leslie's success was thanks to a great back nine, which he covered in two under par with birdies on the 12th, 16th and 17th. Fisher had 11 pars plus birdies on the 3rd and 15th.

The Division Two winner was Dave Edwards (82-13=69) from David Wade (84-14=70) and Steve Smyth (82-11=71). Edwards birdied the 4th, 10th and 16th and chalked up four pars, while Wade notched a birdie on the 11th and five pars.

Len Daden (88-17=71) took the Division Three honours from Jeremy Burrows (91-18=73) and Mick Hobbs (93-17=76). The highlight for Daden was a birdie on the 16th and five pars.

The Buta brothers were in great form in Sunday's competition, with Talat taking the Division One top spot and Rif landing Division Two honours.

Talat shot five birdies and eight pars on his way to 72-4=68 to see off the challenge from Stuart Alliston (75-6=69) and Richard Jubb (82-9=73). Alliston birdied the 6th and 16th and notched 11 pars.

Rif's 78-11=67 was far too good for John Hindle (86-14=72) and Peter Richardson (89-16=73). Buta birdied the 4th and had 10 pars while Hindle shot six pars.

Gerry Evison (90-17=73) won Division Three from Jim Bryan (92-18=74) and Ivor Finer (94-17=77). Evison had five pars and Bryan three.

Big welcome - new captain Barrie Walters gets a guard of honour as he prepares to drive himself in at Boyce Hill Golf Club

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.