WHILE the largest section of members at Ross Golf Club contains those classified as men seniors aged 55+, there are times when those considered veterans aged 70+ rise to the occasion to claim silverware, and not for the first time, reports KEITH RAY.

The Gorsley-based club's men's seniors winter golf programme for the past 20 years has included the Winter Pairs League, which in 2024 consisted of 22 pairings completing six matches each over a three-month schedule, with the final league table deciding the winner of the Patrick Curtis Shield.

Patrick, a former long-serving Ross Seniors Secretary, not only introduced the event, but also won it with his golfing pal David Every in their accomplished playing days.

Patrick still enjoys being at the fore to manage the competition and make the trophy presentation, which he will undertake later this year to veterans Roy Millington and Peter Shaw.

The pair combined really well together and finished as the only undefeated contestants, with their 11 points total earning them the trophy and major prize-winnings.

Victory brought back memories of two years ago when they won the John Price Cup together, which at that time was associated with the Winter Pairs League, but is now competed for separately.

Yet another example of the golfing maxim that 'once you have it, you never lose it'.

Stuart Mair and Paul Dobbs finished runners-up for the second successive season, scoring 10 points, and were followed by Nigel Fullerton/Peter Dumbell also with 10 points, and Robin Butler/Mike Cheal and Alan Standring/Steve Sanders with nine.

Earlier in the season, the Annual Seniors Over-75s Cup introduced nearly 25 years ago by former club captain Dr Peter Carton-Kelly provided another opportunity for veterans to shine.

Allen Mawby surprised himself and his countless friends to amass 36 points, which will result in his name appearing on the silverware.

As his prize, Allen fittingly chose a bottle of Dr Peter's favourite whisky tipple, as this will be the last year that the event's prizes will be represented by the good doctor's original wishes, which included a faggots and peas lunch afterwards.

Stuart McLeod finished runner-up with 34 points followed by former Overs-75 winner and octogenarian, Roger Cotton and David Beavan, who each carded 34 points.