ROSS Golf Club's latest monthly mixed winter stableford competition was spread over two days to accommodate the numbers involved.

The monthly events qualify towards April’s Barnfield Trophy, which boasts honours board status, and feature both men and ladies' sections.

The top 12 performers qualify from each of the five rounds so that a 60-player start-sheet will contest the Trophy on Saturday, April 4, as the first major of the season.

To accommodate the first phase of a 30 per cent reduction in the number of trees at the Gorsley-based 'hidden-gem' course, the third mixed winter stableford was reduced to nine holes, but still attracted 71 members.

Darren Henry’s 2025 golfing season included two major Honours Board titles in two weeks – the Gordon Blake County Medal qualifier and the Collins Challenge Cup and Flag – resulting in a handicap reduction to 11.6.

And he enjoyed his first 2026 No 1 finish thanks to an impressive 23 points total, equivalent to a gross level par performance of five pars and two birdies.

He was chased hard by Simon Phillips with six pars and a birdie matching his 23 points, but just pipped on count-back.

John Hall impressed with 22 points, followed by Colin Price, Harry Barr and Kevin Howells with 21 each.