Members of the The Essex Golf Complex at Garon Park played their first major of the new golfing season on Sunday.

Fifty-eight members turned out to compete for the SMAC Trophy in difficult cold, wet and windy conditions.

Well here it is, Merry Christmas - Kathy Harrison takes a seasonal view as she celebrates driving in as the new Lady Captain of Castle Point Golf Club with members at the Somnes Avenue, Canvey, course Picture: ROB BROWNE

Scores were surprisingly good with 10 players carding net totals of 70 or better.

First place went to Michael Gridley (12) with a net 66, followed by Lloyd Wright (10) with a net 67.

Three players all recorded net scores of 68. Julian Chesworth (11) took the third place prize on countback from, Mark Nixon (18) and Jim Saunders (18).

Rochford Ladies held their annual Yuletide Foursomes Stablford competition played over nine holes.

The runaway winners were Jo Rumsey and Josie Hodder with 15 points -- three more than Beryl Claxton and Jenny Wade, who beat Di Fenn and Lorraine Norris for second place on countback.

Published Thursday, December 12, 2002

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