ROSS Golf Club's men's Seniors section celebrated another successful season of meaningful golf and collective spirit recently when 78 members took part in the annual 16 holes Singles Stableford competition followed by a traditional Christmas Lunch together, reports KEITH RAY.

The final results table was again headed by relative newcomers to the Gorsley-based club, which reflects so well on how they have each adapted to the course's challenging tree-lined environment.

The performance of 10 handicapper Bill Lawrence was stand out, as he expertly scored 21 points on his front nine holes and excelled in playing his back seven holes in one under gross par.

Bill's 40 points total was never likely to be threatened and so it proved.

Dave Roberts has also embraced the club's 'continuous learning' culture during his brief membership period, and this investment in himself earned him the runners-up prize.

In matching Dave's 38 points total to earn a third place finish, 14.9 handicapper Nigel Fullerton will also be mindful of his learning journey after becoming a member in 2020 and winning his first two club competitions to kick-start his impressive golfing career.

Others to star on the day were Geoff Robinson and David Bridges with 37 points each and Stuart McLeod and Steve Bartholomew with 36 points.

In highlighting the valued support received from his committee and all members throughout the season, Ross Seniors Captain Paul Burry also paid tribute to club caterer John Devine and his team for providing some excellent Christmas fayre which added considerably to the occasion.

On Saturday, December 21, the club's annual men's Xmas fayre 18 holes stableford competition meant another opportunity for more collective spirit, especially as the shotgun start and a full house start-sheet resulted in a socially busy clubhouse afterwards.

Once again relative newcomers rose to the occasion and notably 1.9 handicapper Tom Shotton.

While Tom enjoyed many of his younger days at the Gorsley club, he rejoined just two years ago and despite the worsening weather conditions, he held his nerve to deliver a highly impressive 40 points total to take home the day's top prize.

His scorecard showed a 3 under gross par opening nine holes which included two birdies and an eagle, and with two birdies on his back nine holes, this made him a worthy winner.

Equally Raphael Kefalas with 39 points and Ian Bennett's 38 points to earn them second and third prizes respectively were players who both also joined just two years ago.

The 36-point scores by Simon Mills, Joe Sutton and Graham Jell earned them top 10 places and it was meaningful that teenage twins Billy Walker with 36 and Oli Walker 35 should star on the day.

Both Billy and Oli are products of the Ross club's highly effective Tim Hall School of Golf Juniors Coaching Academy, which has seen them both being selected for Gloucestershire Golfing Union squads, which will lead to enhanced learning in 2025.

Jordan Hughes who rejoined this year was also once a product of the Juniors Academy and scored 35 points followed by 34 pointers Will Turpin and Stephen Sharpe, enabling Stephen to close his highly successful first golfing year with the club.