AN excellent field of 123 men turned out in cold, sleety winter weather to play in The Worcestershire’s winter four-ball alliance.

With two scores to count at each hole, the winners with a total score of 84 stableford points were Tom Howells, Steve Carter, Andy McCabe and Bill Thomas.

They edged out Mark Davies, Dave Jones, Colin Lane and Steve Lane on the back nine.

The minor placings were also decided on countback with arguably the best performance coming from the third-placed team of Chris Hardy, A W Wood and Hamish Campbell who, though a man down, carded 83.

Sam McLeod, Neil Bogart, Chris Rawlings and Steve Bradshaw were the best of the rest, also on 83.

Similarly raw playing conditions were compounded by a strong, bitter, easterly wind when golfers in a mixed alliance competition took to the Malvern Wells course.

This prompted organisers Trevor and Brenda Cox to restrict the Bowmaker competition to 12 holes.

Eight teams of four competed in a format where the best lady’s score and best man’s score counted at each hole.

The severe weather did little to stifle the boundless enthusiasm of the club’s Doreen Hunt who, having celebrated her 89th birthday three days earlier, led home the winning team.

Throughout a long and distinguished career in education, Hunt maintained an enthusiasm for sport.

In addition to operating as a glider pilot, she was involved in many sports, including hockey, tennis and badminton, before turning to golf and she still regularly plays 18 holes.

After her latest achievement she paid particular tribute to playing partners Liz Pool, Mike Dobel and Peter Hill.

Their 61 points were two clear of runners-up Diane Meakin, Paul Meakin, Mary Horrobin and Will Jones.

Jan Kirkland, Andy Turner, Helen Barnes and Barry Davies secured third with 56 ahead of Brenda Cox, Trevor Cox, Joyce Duncan and Alan Smith on 53.

The weather was more favourable when Pat Rose and Chris Urry headed the scoring in The Worcestershire ladies’ 12-hole greensomes.

Their 25 stableford points were well clear of the field with Pauline Belsham and June Jones closest on 21.

Vanessa Chesterton and Hazel Cartledge took third with 19 ahead of three pairs on 18 with the best being Jen Bishop and Brenda Jones.

The seniors’ winter league match at home to unbeaten Ross was in doubt until the last minute as the course had been closed for several days following heavy rainfall. A hard-fought match ended in a draw.

The winners for the home club were Keith Hitchcock and Barry Caswell 2&1, Dave Jones and John Wright 3&2, Allan Davies and James Noon 3&2 and Dave Anderson and Martin Field 2&1.

Losing out were team captain Nigel Teale and Andrew Colston one-down, Terry Cox and Peter Kirton 3&2, Phil Bayliss and Graham Hill 3&2 and Tony Cox and Stan Jones one-down.