THERE was a close finish to Playgolf Colchester's Guests Day.

A large field of members and guests contested the three-man Texas Scramble event, where prizes were arranged for the top four teams.

The team of Paul Addison, Andy Cloves and Mark Ponder won the event on countback ahead of runners-up Fred Batterham, Shaun Kelly and Mike Latta. The team of Tom English, Mick Seaman and Richard Llewelln were third with a score of 64.5.

Alex Crawford and Bide Binns finished fourth with a card of 64.8, which was all the more impressive as they were reduced to a two-ball.

Only seven teams did not break par, so competition for the last-place prize was hot.

The winners of a lucrative ball-cleaner were Dean Rainbird, Brian Williams and Vincent Bockenham, with a score of 74.2.

Club captain Richard Frost said: "A great day all round - special thanks to “Old Bob” who turned up to collect the scorecards and hand out toffees during the round."

Junior member Jonathan Tait (17) topped the list in the third Playgolf Club Championship qualifying medal round.

His nett score of 62 saw him receive a two-shot handicap cut next time out.

The highlights of his round included seven pars, a par-three birdie on the 16th and a superb eagle, on the par-four final hole.

Christos Fantousi (14) took the runner-up spot with a nett 68 and highlights of six pars and a birdie on the par-four 15th.

Rob Wareing (six) saw a return to form and a handicap cut to five, the lowest gross of 75.

He took third place on countback from Matt Barnett (eight) and Peter Quilty (17) after his card including 11 pars and par-three birdie on the 14th.

In the seniors competition, Brian Banks (18) took the Medal with a gross 89 (nett 71).

Steve Turner (12) was runner-up with the lowest gross of 85 (nett 73), while Paul Woods (17) was third with his gross 93 (nett 76).

The second division was won by Bernard Keyes with a level-par nett score of 70.

He was followed by Patrick Driver (28) with nett 73 and third-placed Allan Bushe (28), with his nett 77.

The par-three birdie sleeve of balls winners were Brian Hart and George McKernon.

The Playgolf Colchester Norman Plum team narrowly missed out on progressing past round two following a 3.5-2.5 defeat against Channels GC.