During a settled spell of ideal golfing weather, Ross Golf Club’s third Winter Stableford, in a series of five monthly competitions from which ultimately emerges the winner of the Club’s annual honours board major Barnfield Trophy, attracted a huge field of 140 members from all sections spread over two days.

The combined final score-sheet showed 21 handicapper, David Bridges, as the stand-out winner with a 43 points total in a remarkable round in which his final six holes yielded a massive 20 points including two birdies to go with another which he captured at the opening hole.

David, a member of the Ross Seniors, is still finding his way around the Club’s tree-lined course as a newcomer, having only joined some nine months ago. This means that is delighted to have already improved himself, now that he will be playing off a 19 handicap.

15 handicapper, Peter James, was runner up with 41 points, followed by another senior member, Wref Digings, and an in form, David Dockroy, who both carded 40 points.

Among the 12 qualifiers who go forward to play in the final in March were Jon Matthews, Stephen Gregory, Leo Powell, Roger Morgan, and Michael Williams with 39 points each and Adrian Hope, Mark Oldale, Paul Meek all with 38 points. 

Teenager, Rhys McGinley, was able to claim his place in the final as Wref Digings was already a qualifier from the first round played in November last year.

Both Rhys and Leo Powell will be representing Ross Juniors and while in this round a qualifier was not forthcoming from the Ross Ladies section, Rhian McGinley, sister of Rhys with 35 points will be pleased that she came closest, followed by Dinah Johnson with 33 points. It is hoped that rounds four and five might see another Ross Lady aiming for Trophy success to join 15 handicapper, Sarah Forrest, who qualified through her fine performance in the second round.