THE golf course at Wenvoe Castle is recognised as one of the finest in the region and the presentation was given that extra special trim for the traditional Finals Day.

Reaching any final is an achievement in itself after several months of knock-out stages starting as far back as the spring.

The weather was kind but a stiff breeze added to the challenge and a busy programme of nine finals were to be played out and if necessary a sudden death finish.

First out was the Men’s Club Championship final played over 36 holes and saw Keith Stimpson defending his title against Matthew Mulloolly. In a match of the highest quality Keith had the better start in the early stages but could never shake off the determined challenge of his opponent and after 36 holes the match was all square.

Sudden death on the opening par five hole saw both players on the green and birdie opportunities to secure the title. Matthew rolled his putt in from 15 feet and it was do or die for the defending champion who saw his putt shave the hole but failed to drop and Matthew took the title and crowned Club Champion in what remarkably was his first year as a club member.

The Ladies Championship followed and was another 36 hole match contested by Sheila Morrow and Jane Lott defending her title. It was another match of quality golf which ebbed and flowed with Sheila generally maintaining a small lead but Jane making sure it didn’t develop into a commanding position.

It wasn’t until the final holes that Sheila managed to shrug off the challenge and eventually won on the 16th hole and both players can be pleased with their contribution to an exciting match played in an excellent spirit.

The Robert Rickard Cup was keenly contested by Nick Caulfield and Paul Wheatley and played over 18 holes. The 18th hole saw the drama of Nick holing out a crucial birdie putt to half the match and he then went on to win the trophy at the first extra hole.

The Dragon Trophy is a knock-out competition for players with a handicap of 10 and over and the final was played between Jack Walsh and Tony Donovan. The result was in doubt until the penultimate hole where Jack secured victory eventually winning by three holes with just one to play.

Two Ladies Finals followed with Delyth Thomas coming out on top against Barbara Beedham and in the Blod Lewis Cup Jill Rogers won the competition for the second year in a row defeating Maria Venn on the 15th hole.

The H Regan Men’s Foursome was the last competition to tee off and proved to be a very close contest involving Rob Campbell and Chris Jones against Leighton and David Janes. The match looked to be going to sudden death but a late surge on the closing holes saw Rob and Chris win on the 17 hole.

It is often said third time lucky as it was in this case as the winners had reached the final on two previous occasions.

A second finals day is held to accommodate players who reach a number of finals. Sheila Morrow had reached four finals so two of these were played on the following Sunday with the other to be arranged in due course.

On Sunday, Sheila paired with club captain Paul Coombs to win on the 17th hole against Brian and Judy Green in the Dr and Mrs A M Jones Trophy. After a short lunch break it was out again in the afternoon as Sheila looked for the hat-trick in the White Cup Foursomes but it was not to be as Sheila and her partner Helen Hughes succumbed to a fighting comeback by club secretary Nicola Sims and Heather Thompson.

The winners were two down in the first two holes and an early finish looked on the cards but gradually pulled back the deficit to capture the trophy.

For the first time the seniors section also took the opportunity to stage their knock-out final and Billy Harrington faced Nigel Thomas over 18 holes. In recent week's Billy had been particularly successful in club stroke play competition and saw his handicap tumble ahead of the final.

Nigel took full advantage of his opportunity and won convincingly 4&3.

On the day of each final the trophy was presented to the winner by the individual referee and on each occasion the players were complimented on the spirit in which each game was played and compliments were paid to the green staff for the outstanding condition and presentation of the course.

All winners can look forward to their names being engraved on the honours boards while the losing finalists will no doubt reflect but use the experience to go one better in the future.