Thanks to the effects of the recent storms in the Wye Valley, the men seniors members (60+years) at Ross Golf Club faced testing conditions when 91 entrants took part in their first honours board major event of 2018, being the annual Keene Cup.

Since joining the Ross Club four years ago, Barry Smith has found the ’continuous improvement’ culture fostered by the Club’s Tim Hall School of Golf development programmes much to his liking in aiding Barry to become the best that he can be. His performances in competitions over the past 12 months have witnessed the fruits of the time and energies Barry has invested in himself on an ongoing basis. As a 28 handicapper, he came third in the 2017 Ernest Penn Cup followed by another third place finish a few weeks later in the net category of the annual Seniors Championship medal.

However, on this occasion Barry avoided a ’third place hat-trick’ when his consistent stableford round, including six pars, yielded an impressive points 42 total to claim the top spot and make him the Club’s 2018 Keene Cup Champion. He can also reflect meaningfully upon the six shots improvement his endeavours have produced, thanks to group clinics/coaching, he will be playing off a 22 handicap.

Another improving high handicapper, Peter Jenkins, pushed Barry to the limit to finish runner-up with 41 stableford points, which also brought Peter a 2 shot handicap reduction to 25. He was followed by a clutch of 38 pointers, represented by Robin Henderson-Pugh, Alastair Ross and 2017 Seniors Champion, 9 handicapper Robin Darling with Allen Mawby, Peter Smith, Tim Fewell in close pursuit with 37 points each.

They were followed by Les Buchanan, John Palmer, Geoff Baker, Scott Thomson, Colin Price, Tom Haskett, David Beavan and Club President Doug Duncanson, who all carded 36 points each.