ROSS Golf Club's annual Spring Scratch and Handicap medal competition is always well supported, providing the severest test at this time of the season for its men members, and attracted a bumper field of 111 players.

The Gorsley-based club’s 2022 men's champion Tim Wyatt – now a 3-handicapper – exceeded his expectations with three birdies in his front nine holes to be two under at half-way.

A slight wobble was overcome when two more birdies followed, including one at the highly demanding 17th.

And Tim's gross 71 medal score proved just enough on count-back to claim the major honours’ board bragging rights.

One over par handicapper and several times Ross men's champion Cam Haines had to settle for the runners-up spot this time with an equally impressive gross 71 medal score, which included four birdies.

Jonny Walker and Paul Meek were next with gross 74s, followed by Robert Beavis with a gross 75 and Paul Stone and Jon Moody with gross 76s.

The handicap division was headed by 15-handicapper Jon Williams with an impressive gross 82 net 67 medal round, which included three birdies.

Shaun Reynolds, Alec Osborn and Ross GC junior Aidan Evans starred with net 70s as did Chris Merriman, Graham White and Andrew Durrant with net 71s.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United star Clayton Blackmore was among those playing in the 36-hole Masters Pro Golf Tour event at Forest Hills in Coleford.

The turnout also included former European Tour pros Andrew Oldcorn, who won the England Amateur Championship in 1992 and the Volvo PGA Championship in 2001, and Andrew Sherborne, leading amateur at the 1984 Open and 1992 Spanish Open winner.

Manchester professional James Murphy was three under after round one, closely followed by Australian Richard Swift.

And Murphy continued his great form in round two to finish seven shots clear of Nigel Sweet from Leeds on seven under.