THE pairs better ball, the second of three Seniors’ opens at Forest Hills started a busy week, writes Geoff Norris.

There were 120 entrants from as far away as Devon and Droitwich.

Local pair Andy Ward and Michael Simmonds, won with 47 after earlier coming first in the four ball.

Forest Hills pairs, David Howard and Mike Etheridge, and Mark Barnard and Neil James were among winners with 43.

There were nearest the pin prizes on the par three holes which Mike Etheridge claimed on the 14th, and Gary Davies on the 17th.

In his summing up, Seniors’ Captain Kev Doyle, extended thanks to everyone involved for presenting an extremely special and well-organised competition: the Pro Shop, the various members who manned the registration desk, the plethora of ball spotters out on the course, Roger Hall for collating the results, the house staff and especially Opens’ organiser, Chas Challis, who was responsible for organising his 11th Seniors open.

The Ben Green Trophy, a yellow tee Stableford, that attracted 54 entrants was won by Robin Revill with 42, a point ahead of Stephen Forsyth.

Countback separated Oliver Hopkins-Phillips and James Bath on a four under 68, which included twelve pars, five birdies and even a bogey six on the 13.

Jaques Malan and Chris Drew both finished with 37.

There were 10 claims made upon the twos kitty, with Keiran Jones and Jaques Malan bagging a brace apiece, and Andy Shenton, who eagled the 16th.

The B Team hosted Gloucester the North Gloucestershire Foursomes with Vice Captain Gary Davies in charge.

He and Pat Simcoe halved the first as did Derek Freeman-Jones and Steve Graham in the second.

Steve Goode and Simon Ruffley lost 3&2 before another half by Mike Parry and Paul Mclean.

In the penultimate encounter Nigel Thompson and Dan Prout lost one down.

Toby Turp and Tony Laws halved the last match for Forest Hills 2-4 Gloucester.

In the reverse fixture, the A team’s Haydn Burford and Ross Baldwin held on for a share of the spoils in the opener.

Paul ‘Sty’ Williams and Josh Goode lost 3&1 but in match three, James Bath and James Prior came back with a half.

The only win on the day came as Captain Connor Mullan and Josh Mathews won 3&1.

Nick Jacobs and Keelan Reddan lost 4&2, and Matt McGirr and Ryan McDonald lost 3&1 for Gloucester 4-2 Forest Hills.

In the Division One of the July Medal countback determined the order as Lee Ayres, Nigel Thompson and Kurt Hanson all finished with a nett 73.

The lowest nett score of the day was recorded in Division Two as Paul Mclean finished with 83-13-70. John Watkins was second, and Clive Skinner third. Malcolm Cape won Division Three, with a nett 74. Tony Laws was second and Dave Bennett third.

The Richards Cup, the latest Seniors’ Honours Board competition was won by Martin Shipley with 41.

Peter Chisholm was second in the individual stableford competition.

Richard Keeble finished third on countback with 38, as his score was boosted by a hole-in-one on the par three eighth.

Terry Hook was fourth and Mark Wood fifth. Richard also birdied the 14th to give him a share of the kitty with Roger Hall and Ian Lovering.