SINCE joining the Gorsley-based Ross Golf Club just two years ago, accomplished 11 handicapper and septuagenarian Bill Lawrence has quickly made his mark out on the course, reports KEITH RAY.

Bill recently found himself representing the club's 335-strong men's seniors aged 55 and over section in an annual Gloucestershire Golfing Union event at the Cotswold Edge Golf Club in Wotton-Under Edge, near Bristol.

The occasion was supported by no less than 28 golf clubs from across the county with a total of 56 players taking part in an 18 holes stableford competition.

And it resulted in Ross GC’s Bill playing a starring role, as his 35 points score saw his name in the No 1 spot on the final scoresheet.

His impressive round in difficult Autumnal conditions included a superb 10 pars, with Bill enjoying the satisfaction of par scores on every one of the four par-three holes.

And winning the 2024 event, this gives Bill an exemption as the reigning champion to take part in the 2025 event. 

An all-round sportsman Bill can also be found playing competitive cricket for the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation over 70s Championship team in the summer, following a season which has seen the county squad winning 10 of their mainly 40 overs matches and losing just three.

In their final friendly match against Somerset over 70s, Bill once again played a starring role coming in as third man and scoring 42 valuable runs off 57 deliveries, including four fours, as the hosts chased down the visitors’ 157-6, reaching 158-7 with 1.1 overs to spare.

Bill had earlier taken a catch for the third Somerset wicket before his team went on to gain a satisfying three-wickets victory.