THE season began in earnest when the men of The Worcestershire played in their April monthly medal on a course benefitting from the recent warmer weather.

Division One’s David Horn (12 handicap) and Division Three’s Frank Turner (20) recorded 70 nett against a competition scratch score of 72.

Following Horn home in Division One were Mark Groves (10) on 71 and Geoff Fox (5) on 72. Division Two winner Derry Hanratty (15) carded 71 ahead of Pete Basten (15) on 72 and Mike Hill (17) on 73.

Dennis Doano (22) and David Bray (25) took the minor placings in Division Three with 71.

A smaller entry in the midweek stableford saw a win in Division One for Richard Bird (15) with 38 points, ahead of Tom Howells (2) on 37 and Mick Lloyd (11) on 36.

Division Two winner James Noon (28) also carded 38 with Barry Taylor (21) taking second place on 35, beating John Wright (18) on count-back.

Meanwhile, The Worcestershire ladies finished the winter season with a 12-hole, three-ball alliance.

Two teams were well ahead of the rest of the field, with the winners being Cath Francis, Liz Evans and Mary Horrobin with 74 points ahead of Jen Bishop, Pat Rose and Brenda Jones on 72.

Club captain Steve Bradshaw led a club team away from home to an enjoyable inaugural match between The Worcestershire and Churchill and Blakedown.

In dry, windy conditions, Bradshaw and Dave Turner won their match well 5&4.

Mark Read and Phil Birch triumphed 3&2, while John Williams with Chris Hardy, and Ian Belsham with Pete Basten were less successful, losing by the same margin.

The matches for Josh Marshall with Marcus Holman and Terry Cox with Mike Bolton were close.

Each pair lost out only to the last putt on the last hole, resulting in a 4-2 win for the home side.