The latest major Men's event in Ross Golf Club's 2013 Summer calendar was the Collins Flag medal and with 122 taking part, the outcome proved to be a remarkable occasion in the golfing career of Rob Ford, who was only installed as a member a few weeks previously.

It was 17 years ago that Rob knew the course as a young man and in recently returning to live in the the Wye Valley, it made sense for him to renew his acquaintance with the Gorsley based Course's tree-lined fairways.

It was probably this factor that encouraged Rob to forgo his driver on the day and to settle on hitting his tee shots with a favoured 3 wood and which usually keeps him on line.

However as a 17 handicapper, the omens were far from good and with two triple bogies in his first 4 holes, at that stage Rob had dropped 8 shots to par. From thereafter though Rob's round came alive and combined with some solid iron play, he was able to score 9 pars and a birdie and his gross 83 nett 66 medal round, ensured that his name topped the final score-sheet to guarantee his place at the Club's Trophy Presentation evening in September. Rob can also look forward to an Honours Board accreditation and playing off a 15 handicap in future.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.