Golf round-up: Paul's USA treat...

Jefford, who plays off two, was the fourth lowest qualifier from over 30,000 entrants throughout the United Kingdom.

His success took him through to the grand final at the fabulous Ocean Forest golf course at the exclusive Sea Island, Georgia, which will play host to the 21001 Walker Cup.

He was one of 21 finalists, male and female, who flew out for a superb week's golf which included practice rounds, a pro-am and a fun event "Ryder Cup" between the cream of the local juniors and 12 of the 21 finalists from the UK. Honours here finished even.

Main competition was over two days and, after the first round, Jefford was lying joint third with a first round 73 - one over par.

Playing in sweltering temperatures of 95 degrees, and with 90 per cent humidity, Jefford admitted later: "With that score on that course, it had to be the best time I've ever had on a golf course."

Each of the finalists had their own local caddy assigned for the two days. The condition of the course was second to none with lush, manicured fairways and lightning fast greens.

The second round was played in similar conditions and all competitors had to deal with energy-sapping heat.

The course was so exacting that, if players missed the green on the wrong side, shots were almost certain to be dropped.

Jefford realised that errant shots were to prove costly and his performance on four holes effectively cut his progress short. "A couple of iron shots cost me dearly," he said. "However, I shall never forget the experience this opportunity taught me.

"It's a fantastic location and I feel privileged to have been there and to have been part of it."

The competition was eventually settled by an exciting four-hole sudden death play-off and won by David Skins. Rachel Adby collected the girls' prize.

Jefford, now 18, is a member of Thorpe's Thornton Cup team and also represents Essex Boys at under-18 age group level. He lives with his family at Keighley Mews, North Shoebury.

Swinging success - Paul Jefford's visit to America

Super Maria takes Boyce title

Boyce Hill Ladies club championship was won by Maria Barham with a gross 167.

Jean Shepherd won the Silver handicap trophy with a net 139 - a performer which was boosted by a hole-in-one at the 131-yard 11th.

Lin Shepherd won the Bronze division Rose Trophy with a gross 190 and net honours here went to Maggie Patterson, who collected the Kismet Cup.

Boyce's Silver Stableford was won by June Atkins (15) on 33 points.

Beryl Whitney was the Bronze star, the 31-handicapper having 41 points to see off the challenge of Kate Philips (40) on 38.

The club's mini guest day saw June Atkins and Thorpe Hall's June Robinson win on countback from Jenny Darwin and Paula Drayson (Chelmsford). Both pairs had 44 points.

Best front nine was by Ann Holt and Jacky Mormall (Gosfield Lakes). They won on countback from Viv Simmonds and Mary Horn (Rochford) after both had 20. Sheila Mayfield and Chris Fox (Rochford) took the back nine prize on 24.

Jean's great day

Langdon Hills Ladies Guest Day was won by Lady Captain Marie Norton and Basildon Vice-Captain Olive Bell with 43 points.

Jane Sheehan and guest Mary Wheeler won the first nine prize on 22, with the back nine award going to Jean Pavely and Edna Miller (21).

Jean had a very good day as she also took the longest drive and nearest the pin prizes for members. For the guests, Pat Ring was nearest the pin and Ruby Bruty had the longest drive.

Lady captain Marie continued her successful year by winning the Gould Goblet with Jane Sheehan on 54 points.

The Millennium competition winners were June Grayer and Grace Dukelow and they will now be hoping to qualify for the county play-offs. Grace also won the Windfall Trophy at the club and now plays in the final at The Warren on October 4.

Ena Beck and June Grayer won the Friendship Cup with Pauline Harrington and vice-captain Carol Bell runners-up.

Three-shot cushion for Sutton

At Hanover's Georgian Course, Lorna Sutton crowned a tremendous run of form by triumphing in the medal winners final by three clear strokes.

Lorna had finished runner-up in both the monthly medal and Stableford, but went one better when it mattered most. Yvonne May claimed second spot.

Mary Priest took the monthly medal with a two under par 71, while Ann Lawes won the Stableford.

On the Regency Course, vice-captain Judy Needham triumphed in the ladies club championship with Pat Flynn runner-up. Pat had the consolation of taking the Handicap Bowl from Lorraine Court.

Lorraine also picked up the summers doubles title with Mavis Knowles after victory over Ruth Humphreys and Madge Sodeau in the final.

Good scoring easy to Swallow

Tremendous scoring highlighted Thorpe Hall Ladies LGU medal with Ann Swallow taking the Silver Division on net 64 from Janet Oliver (66) and Henny Bush (68). Ann also collected the LGU Pendant.

Janice Richardson won the Bronze from Phyl Pinkerton on countback after both shot net 69s.

Belfairs Ladies Norma Shinn Trophy went to Mrs R Barber on 36 points from Mrs J Dowding (35) and Mrs L Smith (33).

Guest day winners reach Peek form

Castle Point's 27-hole Guest Day was well supported with 27 guests being welcomed as partners to club members.

Fine scoring in the morning 18 holes defied strong winds and threatening rain.

Five matches returned scores of 45 points, one 46 and another 47. A Peek and guest M Harvey won on 49, pipping G Eggleton and M Greaves on countback. Third were D Chatha and T Hitchcock on 48.

In the afternoon nine-hole Texas Scramble, the home club's Matt and Terry Loveday, with guests from Basildon, club champion Steve Rooney and Dave George, recording a magnificent net 25.8 - an eagle, six birdies and two pars.

Phil's revival seals cup joy

Over the weekend, Ballards Gore held the Caton Cup medal. Phil Anderson (9) was the winner.

He had a poor start with five shots dropped in the first six holes and then had back-to- back birdies on seven and eight to go out in three over.

On the back nine, Anderson added pars on seven holes and dropped shots on only two.

His net 69 gave him victory on countback from Gary Treen (16), whose fine roundwas marred by a triple bogey on the sixth.

Third spot went to in-form Andy Hall (6), who dropped three shots for a net 70 to beat Mick Doody on countback.

Tense finish earns Dale club crown

Rochford Hundred had two of their club championships played and the battle for the Lloyd Cup proved a tense affair.

Hockley vet Marshall Dale did battle with Dick Jones over 36 holes and the match finally went to the fifth extra hole before being resolved.

In the end Dale made up for losing the intermediate final to Bobby Locke by just squeezing home.

The final of the Summer Knockout Cup proved much more comfortable with Tony Rosen getting the better of Rick Napper 7 and 6.

Jo Rumsey was in sparkling form in the ladies' Silver championship final and swept away Jan Harvey 10 and 9.

Tina Dye took the Bronze event 6 and 5 from Ann Holloway. Peter Dolby and Pat Lowndes went down in the Summer Mixed Foursomes against husband and wife Alan and Lesley Loveday 5 and 4.

I don't like to stir it, but we got it wrong in Golfing Echo last week regarding the Wooden Spoon competition.

Despite Micky Banks and Peter Keeble both collecting holes-in-one on the 18th, Boyce Hill took the Wooden Spoon by losing 19-13 to Rochford over two legs.

Sparkling event in Mike's memory

Southend Hospital's baby unit will benefit from a cash sum of £2,800 following a charity golf tournament played at the Garon's Park course in Eastern Avenue, Southend.

The event was the Arakliti Crystal Tourna-ment and 60 golfers turned out for the good cause and to pay tribute to the late Michael Arakliti.

Victory, with 44 points, went to Londoner Barry Burnell, who plays off 18.

This was the second time the event has taken place and it's hoped it will become an annual event. Said organiser John Sheehy: "Every-one had a great day and we hope the tournament will go from strength to strength."

Proud moment - the late Michael Arakliti's daughter Johanna with the Arakliti Crystal trophy, which was won by Barry Burnell at Garon's Park in Southend

Picture: MIKE NEVILLE

Play-off agony for Hall's Wall

Thorpe Hall's Matt Wall produced a best of the day round of 70 in the 36-hole Essex under-25 championship for the Upminster Bowl to win through to a play-off.

Wall, who plays off four, looked right out of the chase for honours after an opening 77 at Upminster.

Yet that afternoon 70 put him into a three-way tie for first place with Danny Heard (Wanstead) and Warren Hayter (Canons Brook).

Sadly, Wall came out on the first hole of the play-off. Hayter was eliminated at the second which left Heard, who plays off two, as the winner.

Georgie Rolph (Romford) won the handicap prize, the eight handicapper shooting a net 141. Next best in the main event locally were Boyce Hill's James Parker and Rochford's Daniel Warwick, who were both among a group on gross 150.

Benton Hall won the Essex Youth Shield, beating The Warren 4-1 at Colne Valley.

Final honour for Basildon

Basildon Golf Club have reached the final of the Clapham Common Shield, the national team championship for public courses organised by the national association.

They defeated Kent club Lullingstone in the Southern area semi-final and now take on Rose Hill, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Farnham Park in Bristol on October 9 and 10.

Basildon owed much of their success to the away pairs in the Greensome Stableford as they finished nine points in front. Jim Carr and Chris Aukett returned 38 points along with Steve Watson and Glen Eastman, while Kevin Pye and Dave Shevill were on 35.

The Basildon home pairs had a 106-103 deficit with Colin Carlile and Peter Murray leading the scoring on 37.

In the twinning towns match, hosts Basildon retained the trophy won in Germany against Heiligenhaus (Germany), Meaux (France) and Mansfield.

Basildon's team was captained by Denis Rodway, supported by Colin Hodges, Eddie O'Leary and John Sales.

Ron Wilkes came third in a field of 92 in the Playgolf Stableford National Champion-ship of the UK at St Andrews.

John Wright took the Ilford Trophy, the five-handicapper scoring 42 points. Dave Shevill was second and David De La Haye third with the latter earning the coveted Steve Sexty Cup, awarded for performances in three major competitions.

Tyrells keep it in the family

Doug and Dave Tyrell kept it in the family at Hanover's Regency course, taking major honours.

Doug took the men's summer doubles, with Brian Richardson, beating Reg Colman and Jack Cook in the final. Son Dave then claimed the 36-hole club title with a total of 134, four clear of runner-up Dave Topley. Dave Tyrell was also second in the Handicap Bowl. Winner with a net seven under par was Craig Harbrow.

Andy McCarthy (12), with 67, pipped Paul Spencer (10), second on countback, and Hugh Mont-gomery (10) in Division One of the men's medal. Tony Cundy won Division Two with 65, ahead of Ernie Harris by one stroke. Steve Nunn was third with Ray Weidner providing the best scratch score on 74.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.