THE promising Richard Higgs was one of several younger members to take full advantage of the superb playing conditions that greeted the men of The Worcestershire when they competed in the Sunday Cup Medal.

Playing off 12, the 22-year-old carded a 79 gross 67 nett to reduce his handicap, take Division One and lift the prestigious trophy.

Another promising player in 23-year-old Ben Wickett, also off 12, followed him home with 69 nett, while Shaun Porritt (handicap 11) just edged out teenager Bill Thomas (12) for third place on 70.

Division Two saw a clear win for Nigel Allam (13) on 71 with David Flanagan (13), Robert Merley (17) and Gary Eames (14) taking the minor placings, all on 74.

The same score of 74 was sufficient to head Division Three with a win for Ben’s father Andy Wickett (20) followed by Phil Burton (20) with 75 and Steve Hill (19) and Dennis Duano (21) on 77.

By contrast, windy conditions prevailed when the ladies of the Malvern Wells club played their June EGU Medal and Gripper Putting Cup.

Youth again prevailed when 15-year-old Lucy Walton, now playing off a handicap of two, best mastered the conditions to take the Silver Division and win the medal with 73 nett.

Hot on her heels was former sports teacher Liz Evans, whose 74 with just 28 putts was sufficient to secure both second place in the medal and the winning score in the putting competition.

Consistent golfer Jill Piner’s 75 took third position in both the Silver Division and the medal.

Jane Poynder won the Bronze Division on 77 ahead of Cynthia Guest, while Isobel Carmichael headed the Copper Division.

Cathy Harris was runner-up in the putting competition with 30 putts.

The nine-hole competition saw a win for Joy Williams with 17 stableford points ahead of Kate Cross on 16.

Ladies’ inter-club matches are in full swing with the scratch team of Ursula Pearson, Di Meakin, Chris Urry, Sally Dare and Alison Tuck playing their second league fixture of the season at Maxstoke Park. After a close encounter, The Worcestershire lost 3-2 on matches.

Better fortune and a fine summer’s day greeted a DICL inter-club league team of match captain Mary Horrobin, Jackie Marks, June Jones, Corinne Mills and Pat Rose, who won 4-1 at home to Kington.

Meanwhile, club captain Steve Bradshaw was well supported for his captain’s away day at Kington in Herefordshire.

Sunny weather, a warm welcome from the club’s lady professional Sarah Walton, a course in superb condition, fast and true greens and spectacular views from one of the highest courses in the country all made for a memorable occasion.

Two stableford competitions were integrated into the day, an individual and a team event.

In the former, a close tussle ensued with eventual runner-up Steve Homes, on 41 points, being pipped at the post by a superb display from John Flanagan with 42.

In the team event, the runaway winners were team captain Andy McCabe, Homes, Mike Holt and Steve Carter, who combined to achieve 108 points.