Alan Macnaught is the new Essex senior golf champion.

The 52-year-old Scot, who plays for Colchester Golf Club, lifted the prestigious new trophy after winning the two-round competition held at Chelmsford.

Staged for only the second time, the over-50s event proved a close contest. Macnaught, a former county player, was in third place overnight after an opening 72.

And with a 73 to follow, Macnaught had a winning total of 145 - two shots clear of runner-up Alan Golbourn of the host club.

Macnaught, captain of Colchester Golf Club last year, said:

"It's a great privilege to be one of the first winners. With senior sport taking off now, there's going to be a lot more in years to come."

Macnaught beat off a field of 80 to lift the Chelmsford Challenge Trophy, donated by Chelmsford Golf Club to mark the 75th anniversary of the Essex County Amateur Golf Union, which has since been returned to the Chelmsford club.

Alan's son Alastair is club champion at Colchester, where his other son Paul also plays.

Alan moved down from his native country 20 years ago where he was once Stirlingshire county champion.

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