Members of all sections of Ross Golf Club were delighted to support the opening event of their Club’s 2018 Annual Programme thanks to Head Professional Tim Hall and his Tim Hall School of Golf (THSG) New Year Florida Scramble.

With 28 teams of four members each taking part in the main 16 holes medal competition, there was also the opportunity for 18 Academy Juniors to participate in their own nine hole scramble competition. With something for everyone, there was a real party spirit throughout the day to add to the occasion.

This witnessed some remarkable team performances too, with an outrageous net 49 medal score, making James Berry, David Daniels, Tim Kefalas and Joe Sutton the day’s champions.

The second placed Juniors team of Cam Haines, Sophie Price, Harry Griffiths and Matty Dobbs, earned some light-hearted ‘bragging rights’ as their 49.7 score would have been the best, if the event had been scored on a stableford points basis.

In third place were Colin Gladwyn, Derek Hancock, Kevin Powell and Shaun Reynolds with a score of 52, followed by Barry Le Feuvre, Andrew Lloyd, Craig Newman, and Steve Woods with 52.7.

The prize for the best mixed score went to the fifth placed team of Danny Gear, Adrian and Alison Hope and Michael Williams with 53.

In the Academy Competition, the top spot was taken by Robin and Andrew Eckley and Julia Wilde with a 28 nett medal score, with the runners-up being Archie Fisher, Helen Shaw and Bridget Hiram with a 29.8 score.

The adult putting competition winner was 14-year-old Jay Greig, with nine-year-old Cam Hughes winning the Academy putting competition.

There were nearest the pin prizes for Hannah Whibley, Andrew Lloyd and Barry Le Feuvre, and to the team of Hugh Elliott, Peter and Sally Lawrence and Lorraine Fenner for being closest to the 16th pin in two shots. Barry Smith and David Beavan found themselves among the prizewinners in the ‘Best Dressed’ category.

Members were pleased to be part of the fundraising on the day, which resulted in £311 being donated to the Club’s Junior Section and £407 towards the well-being of former Ross Juniors Captain, Niall Powell, now a scratch player, who took part throughout the day in a thoroughly entertaining ‘Beat the Pro’ initiative on the Club’s 12th Pond hole.

As Niall approaches his 21st birthday celebrations later this week, he is in fine form as he returns to complete the final six months of his two year Golf Scholarship at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, USA. After qualifying, Niall aims to pursue a career in the game, in which the Ross Club, the THSG and club members have been privileged to play significant roles.

Back in December 2013 as a 16-year-old, Niall won the Ross Gazette’s ‘Young Sports Person of the Year’ award.

The Ross Gazette reported that Niall received praise, not just for his golfing ability, but for his great attitude and personality. It is therefore understandable that Niall has continued to accomplish great things in the last four years.