The 87 Men members who took part in Ross Golf Club’s second Winter Stableford to qualify for the 2017 Barnfield Trophy Final to be played next March, found themselves enjoying some highly acceptable autumnal playing conditions.

These certainly suited 11 handicapper Peter Bennett, and while he has been in consistent form of late, he more than exceeded his expectations on the Club’s Yellow course. He scored 43 stableford points, the equivalent of seven shots better than his official handicap. With a consistent round which included 10 pars and 2 birdies, Peter moves one shot closer to becoming a single handicap player. He was pressed hard to finish in the top spot by 13 handicappers; Murray Thomson and Peter Chapman. They both enjoyed impressive 42 points scores with Murray having to endure a two shots handicap reduction to 11 reflective of his consistent and effective play of late. The remaining three players to qualify for next March from handicap Division 1 were Shaun Reynolds with 40 points, and Jonathon McGinley and Tony Biggs with 39 points each.

Roger Morgan, a 17 handicapper , was distinctly unfortunate not to have been crowned the club’s 2016 Barnfield Trophy Champion earlier this year, when he was runner-up to former Ross Juniors Captain, 2 handicapper Niall Powell. Niall is now based in Iowa, USA undertaking a five year golf scholarship which, if successful, will lead him to turning professional.

Clearly Roger is also aiming high, for having qualified for the 2017 Barnfield Trophy final after his 38 points score in the first Winter Stableford in October, he produced another praise-worthy round. His 41 points score resulted in him finishing top of Handicap Division 2 qualifiers and a one shot handicap reduction to 16. This means that the six qualifiers were Norman Lodge 38 points, Graham Jell and Bob Cook with 37 points each, Gary Moyle 36 points and Kingsley Matthews and David Higdon with 35 points each. Colin Price impressed again with 37 points having qualified in the first Winter Stableford and the 35 points score by his golfing pal Bill Knapper meant that Bill just missed out on this occasion.