THE weather was exceptionally kind for the very busy two Finals days at Wenvoe Castle Golf Club.

With some players reaching two finals the matches are played over successive weekends and on the first day the Men’s and Ladies Championships are fought out over 36 holes.

The finals are the end product of several rounds of hard fought knock out matches starting as early as April and to reach a final is an achievement in itself.

The Men’s Final between Keith Stimpson and Nick Grimmitt saw Keith defending his title and built up a commanding lead over the opening holes. From then on Keith’s remarkable consistency enabled him to maintain a comfortable lead.

No matter what pressure was applied by his determined opponent Keith maintained a strong lead and went on to be a deserved and worthy winner in retaining his title.

The Ladies Final turned out to be an excellent and very closely contested match between Lesley Sherrard and Jane Lott.

It was quality golf all the way and the lead changed hands several times before Jane finally gained the upper hand. It was looking to go to sudden death but over the closing holes Jane managed to fight off the determined challenge put up by Lesley in a match worthy of the final.

Given the high number of entries in all the competitions simply reaching a final is quite an achievement, however, special mention must go to Sheila Morrow who reached three finals and picked up the winner’s trophy in each of them.

The busy programme was also boosted by the finals of the Hallett League and Cup Plate Competitions. The matches were between teams who have successfully fought their way to the finals stages and Wenvoe Castle is the traditional home for finals of all the Hallett Society Competitions.

Over 40 clubs throughout South Wales compete in the knockout stages and to reach the final is itself a considerable effort. In the main contest Aberdare Golf Club won the League title in the play-off against the Vale of Glamorgan.

The course was again prepared and presented at its best and without exception the players spoke highly about the excellent condition of the course. The club captain Chris Jones and the referees who presented the trophies at the finish of the individual matches consistently spoke of the sporting manner and the spirit in which the matches were played.

Results:

Men’s Finals

Men’s Club Championship -winner Keith Stimpson and runner-up Nick Grimmitt

Robert Rickard Trophy - winner Billy Harrington and runner-up Paul Wheatley

Dragon Trophy - winner Lloyd Konten-Sloman and runner-up Jeff Plevey

H Regan Foursomes - winners Rhys Ivory and Dan Williams and runners-up Terry O’Grady and Craig Miller

Ladies Finals

Ladies Championship - winner Jane Lott and runner-up Lesley Sherrard

Mary Fellows Bowl - winner Sheila Morrow and runner-up Sue Macpherson

White Cup Foursomes - winners Helen Hughes and Sheila Morrow and runners-up Tina Church and Barbara Beedham

Blod Lewis Cup - winner Jill Rodgers and runner-up Heather Thompson

Bronze Championship - winner Sheila Morrow and runner-up Sandra Hathway

Mixed Competition Final

Dr and Mrs AM Jones Trophy - winners Jeff Plevey and Nicola Sims and runners-up Steve Nicholls and Jane Lott