Wright claims victory at Colchester Golf Club's Elmstead Cup Final

With water standing on parts of the course after the previous night’s storm the finalists Wright, playing off four and Andy Smith (six) got off at the pre-arranged time.

Wright quickly went three up after four holes, before Smith eased back to one up at the turn.

The turning point was the 12th, when Wright played a perfect approach for a birdie and although he lost the 13th, the 14th went his way to put him two up. He went on to win by 4&3.

The Elmstead Cup played over the Easter weekend signals the start of Colchester Golf Club’s season.

It is the club’s third oldest competition, first played for in 1920 and is the first boarded competition of the year.

The qualifying round on Good Friday was played in spring-like weather and although the course played tough with back tees and no run on the fairways, the 70 competitors produced some great golf.

With the top-eight available players qualifying for the knockout, Sam Latta led the way with an impressive 67 nett from his ten handicap after being drawn against Wright in the first round.

In the second group, Stuart Macauley (five) was drawn against Lewis Barber (five) with Smith up against Guy Lennox (eight).

The final group was Dave Humberstone (13) against Lionel Keightley (nine).

Easter Sunday was semi-finals day, with Wright beating Barber and Smith getting the better of Humberstone, before Wright was triumphant in the final.

Colchester ladies played their first 18-hole competition since last November, in pleasant spring conditions.

Catherine Chick (25) won with a nett 73 ahead of second-placed Sara Cock (29) with her 77.

Bridgett Whitworth (15) claimed third spot with 79, with Shelley Persent (17) fourth with 80 and fifth-placed Fiona Prentice (20) with 81.

Stuart Thackrah (21) won the midweek stableford with a solid 38 points. John Powell (27) finished a point behind, while Jim Wilkinson (7) and Joe Clark (15) both finished on 35 points.