TWO shotgun starts made up the format for Colchester Golf Club’s annual Turkey Trot.

Stuart Reed and Michael Blakebrough claimed victory in the morning start after a countback from Chris Scott and Simon Hutton.

In the afternoon it was the mixed pairing of Annie Johnston and Ed Pain who triumphed.

The unforgiving format of foursomes bogey is a mentally tough competition at the best of times.

But add to that a hard frost and frozen greens and it was amazing how good the scores were.

For both the top morning's pairings to finish all-square against the course was impressive, with Reed (18) and Blakebrough (10) just stealing it with the better back nine.

Scott (20) and Hutton (nine) had an excellent front nine and were two holes up at the turn but lost both on the back and the steadier golf of Reed and Blakebrough won through in the end.

The afternoon round of Johnston (13+2) and Pain (12) was more reflective of the conditions.

They put in a sold first nine to stay all square but then lost two holes on the back to give a final score of two down.

The winning pair was one hole better than second placed Clive Kerr (24) and Michael Deeks, now playing off 23.

Third spot went to Mike O’Sullivan (15) and Gerald Lewis (20), with both pairings scoring three holes down.

Top ladies pairing with a score of five down was Trish Wilson (6) and Lesley Laxton (25).

Other than the winners, the top mixed pairing was David and Claire Croger, playing off 13 and 21, who claimed the prize after a countback from Caroline Slagle (30) and Ian Coleman (12).

Nearest the pin prizes on the four par threes in the morning were John Redden, Patrick Logan, Mike Akin and Stuart Reed whilst the afternoon’s winners were Pat Kettle, Harry Hills, Jim Wilkinson and Charlie Barber.

Earlier in the week in more benign conditions, Colchester GC ladies held their Christmas Cake Walk.

Played over 14 holes foursomes with the best score counting, the winners with a great score of 35 points were Katie Johnson and Ann Salmon along with Lesley Laxton and Gillian Whittle.

Second place went to Claire Croger, Julie Nieuwenhuis, Bridget Whitworth and Fiona Rose who secured 34 points.

In third place on 32 points were Renate Clarke, Fiona Prentice, Beverley Parker and Jane Kerr.