WET weather meant that the Gorsley-based Ross Golf Club's 'hidden-gem' tree-lined course represented a considerable test for the 110 men's seniors aged 55+ players who took part in round 1 of the Annual Layton Cup stableford competition, reports KEITH RAY.

The challenging conditions best suited those players whose accuracy enabled them to play from the fairways and four-handicapper Paul Stone proved a model in his consistency to find good positions and stay out of trouble.

With three birdies, Paul's 36 points total proved just enough to win him his first competition since he joined the club 18 months ago.

Five-handicapper Robert Beavis was equally pleased with his 35 points score which included two birdies and secured the runners-up spot.

Robert was followed by in-form players David Bridges and Andrew McKersie with 34 points and David Webb, Ian Donald and Tim Lewis with commendable 33-point scores.

Meanwhile, two of the Ross Club's teams playing in major cup competitions have given team captains Neil Lancett and Simon Mills a spring in their step.

The President's Cup team and current holders of the Gloucestershire Golfing Unions Knock-out competition contested by 32 clubs faced a tough task in their first round at the Players Golf Club in Bristol, who were losing semi-finalists to Ross last year.

But with seven of the 10 players available on the day who won the title in 2023, Ross proved equal to the task and secured an impressive 3-2 victory. The pairs to provide the winning points were Steve Wallbank/Warren Moore 5/3, Ross Juniors Captain James Sayce/Jon Moody 1 up, and Club Captain Mark Whitmore/Ross 'B' team Captain Justin Halfpenny 2/1.

This will enable Mark and Jon to retain bragging rights of having a 100 per cent winning record in the competition.

Matt Wathen/Richard Tullett and Steve Price/Douglas Graham had to settle for finishing second-best.

For Simon Mills as Captain of the Ross Club's Men's 'A' Team competing in Division 1 of the North Gloucestershire Annual Foursomes League, he can point to his team topping the table after four matches with seven points.

They are the only unbeaten club after three wins and a halved match.

Simon is looking to become only the second Ross men's 'A Captain to have won the prestigious NGFL Champions title following 2018's triumph.

Neil Lancett was again at the helm and his squad included several who are still performing effectively for Simon today.