Golf: October medal is McGowan's windfall

He won on 67 with Mick Heiser, who plays off seven, runner-up on 70 thanks to an eagle on the par five 17th. Third place was decided on countback after Andy Hall (12) and Ian Brogan (5) had net 71s. Hall's better back nine was the deciding factor.

Brogan's eagle on the par four 18th was the highlight.

John Holman (13th) won the intermediate section with a net 69. He beat Peter Simpson (13) on countback with Norman Christensen (14) third on 72.

Martin Sutton (18), with a net 69, won the junior section from Lee Clark (18) 69 and Bob Seaton (20) third on 76.

Strong winds made scoring generally difficult in the gold medal and Victorian masters but Gary Treen (19) took the medal with a net 71 and Jim Glover (9) the masters on 70.

Ian Brogan (4) continued his excellent form to take the October Midweek Stableford, going round in par to amass 40 points. George White (20) was second on 38, boosted by four-pointers on two and 10. Neale Sheppard (6) was third on 37.

All KO finals have now been completed. Brogan defeated Norman Christensen (14) 7 and 6 to take the prestigious Ballards Bowl. The Hutton Cup went to veteran Lew Monkton (10) and Greg Seymour (11) who defeated holders Mick Heiser (7) and Mick Doody (14) at the 18th. This was the first hole that the eventual winners had led.

The Scratch Cup went to Graham Palmer (5) who beat Mick Heiser (7) 2 and 1. Andy Jefferson (10) saw off Malcolm Clark (5) 3 and 2 in the Midweek Trophy.

Holder Lew Monkton (10) retained the Veterans Cup with a 2 and 1 victory over Terry Mowle.

Ian Brogan, having already qualified for the finals of the Echo Sunshine Challenge, has, with partner Jim Glover, qualified for the regional finals of the national Wilson Betterball competition with incentive of another golfing holiday in the Algarve in January.

The annual Basildon match between teams led by the captain and vice-captain saw the deputy's line-up triumph 21.5 - 16.5.

The competition, where opponents play for Stableford points, owed much to a lead from club champion Steve Rooney, who top-scored with 40 points and Colin Hodges (38). Other individual scores were Jeff Harrison (38) and Peter Breathwick (38).

Basildon Ladies Kingswood salver was won by Rita Heywood with a net 70 from Sue Cable (71) Josie Wilby was third, also 71, while Margaret O'Leary's 72 gave her fourth spot.

Lady captain Josie Wilby, in her last competition in her year of office, finished on a high note by leading her team against the Lady captain's line-up 6.5-4.5.

Rochford Ladies Captain Mary Horn led from the front when she and partner Judith Scoging qualified for the Daily Mail Foursomes.

The duo fired 87-10=77 to comfortably see off the challenge from Margaret Brockes and Pat Gage (97-17.5=79.5) and Joan Parr and Ann Holloway (103-20.5=82.5).

Six members of England's 1966 World Cup soccer winning team were at Boyce Hill Golf Club for the annual HBC golf day.

Clients and friends of one of the country's leading motor salvage companies assembled at the South Benfleet based course.

The six England heroes, Martin Peters, George Cohen, Roger Hunt, Sir Geoffrey Hurst and Nobby Stiles joined the commentator from that great triumph, Kenneth Wolstenholme, and Trevor Brooking.

After 15 years experience, the renewal was again an entertaining and well-organised occasion for more than 80 motor insurance professionals with a round of golf on the windswept course followed by dinner and prize presentations.

This year's winner was Eric Dowson, of Williams Hill Investigations, with a Stableford total of 32 points.

He received his trophy from the galaxy of soccer talent available on the day, who were there as celebrity guests of the HBC Group.

Good company - for winner Eric Dowson, with trophy, who is seen with a huge collection of soccer talent. Back row (left to right): Martin Peters, George Cohen, Trevor Brooking and Roger Hunt. Middle row: Kenneth Wolstenholme and Sir Geoffrey Hurst. Front row: Ray Wilson and Nobby Stiles.

Belfairs regained the Roger Foreman Trophy from their fellow Belfairs Park rivals, Southend, in the bi-annual match.

Southend hosted the greensomes fixture this time in cold conditions which gradually brightened up.

Belfairs took a firm grip on the proceedings when their opening pair of Mick Price and Syd Chaplin overcame Jerry Neoh and Ron Edwards 2 and 1.

Belfairs continued their good run with Brian Stiney and Ian Shaw beating Ernie Stinson and Les Aston 5 and 4 and Graham Carter and Brian Hellicar overcoming Mark Fasey and Martin Jones.

Worse was to follow as Southend went four down, Gerry Reeve and Russell Lee beating Lee Winsor and Dave Grimble 2 and 1.

The match then swung back to Southend as the next four games saw them win three and share one with firstly Alan Wood and Calvin Williams beating Bob Mace and Bob Clark 2 and 1.

The next match between the two captains and vice-captains was halved. This latter match was also for the Woodhouse-Tail Cup, the Southend pair of Alex Macdonald and Darren Lee going one up on four occasions but each time being pulled back by the determined Dave Smith and Jerry Davenport.

Brian Hull and Cyril Elliott, Southend's old warhorses, kept the momentum going with a 3 and 2 win over Alan Halls and Phil Hance. Tony Greenan and Kevin Hickling overwhelmed Ken Trysler and Eric McMahon 8 and 7. This left Belfairs 4-3 up with one game shared at the halfway mark.

Belfairs then threatened to take control again when Glen Bremerman and Alan Gribbon pipped Peter Gregory and Paul Downey by one hole. Then Andrew and Barry Meddle finished all square against Larry Laidlaw and Roy George. This put Belfairs 6-4 up.

The finishing post was in sight when Harry Burke and Harry Smith extended Belfairs' advantage. They beat Stan Ferguson and Archie Walker 3 and 2, but Southend kept things alive when Jim Grove and Joe Lamb devoured Phil Bishop and Jim Breakspear 5 and 3.

Dave Seymour and Rob Shacklady kept things tight when they reduced Belfairs' lead to 7-6 with a fine 4 and 2 win over Luke Alden and Huw Thomas. However, when Belfairs' Mick Wellman and Mick Collins thrashed Eamon Hoo and Ian Watt 10 and 8 the score stood at 8-6 and the end was in sight.

Ian Spooner and Mick Matthews gamely kept a Southend win possible with a one-hole victory over Brian Hobell and Tony Fagg. However, Belfairs clinched their success when Roy Mason and Pete Philpott won the final match 2 and 1.

The trophy was presented by Belfairs Park professional Martin Foreman and tribute was paid to the foresight of his father Roger, who died earlier this year after a long illness, in devising the match between the two clubs.

Thorpe Hall Ladies Silver Division Gold Medal was won by five-handicapper Sally Barber on 73, while Brenda Price (34) won the Bronze event on 71.

In the Thorpe Hall 1998 running competitions, the Harry Garon Cup went to Emma de Vries with Paulette Brook runner-up.

The Jarrett Cup winner was Betty Austin from Ann Swallow. Maureen Moody took the Murray Cup from Suzanne Allgood.

The Lady Iveagh Cup went to Henny Bush and Wendy Jones from Betty Austin and Janet Oliver. Block Cup winners were Pauline Keeble and Pam Murray, beating Sandy Goy and Yvonne Buzer.

Kevin and Adam French won the Fisher Family Foursomes Cup from Sandy and Simon Goy. Mr and Mrs Pat Elmore took the Mixed Foursomes Cup from Mr and Mrs Mick Welton. Mick Steed beat Eunice de Vries for the Wallis Arthur Cup.

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