EIGHT-FIVE players, representing 32 clubs from six different counties, competed in the annual Cowdray Park Seniors Open.

Despite the heavy rains, the course was in superb condition, although the long rough proved a real problem.

Eighty-year-old Dennis Geal (Liphook) held the lead for most of the day with his excellent 37 points.

It was one of a number of former Cowdray members in the field who landed the first prize. John Kinnear of Copthorne edged ahead with 38 points.

Club captain Martin Day presented the prizes, as follows: Overall winner, John Kinnear (Copthorne); Best Cowdray player, Martin Day; 2nd Cowdray, Pat Harrison; 2nd Visitor, Dennis Geal (Liphook); 3rd Cowdray, Barry Overington; 3rd Visitor, David Wickinson (Crowborough); 4th Cowdray, Mike Hughes; 4th Visitor, Andy Steven (Copthorne); 5th Visitor, P Woods (Pyecombe); 6th Visitor, Roger Blackburn (Crowborough).

Nearest the Pin: 3rd – Peter Goodwin; 9th – Mike Hancock; 11th – Robert Mummery; 17th – Roger Blackburn. Nearest the Pin in 2: 12th – Dennis Geal; 18th – Mike Jolly. Best Three-Ball: Martin Day, Alec Price, Mike King.

The following day, with the course recovering from heavy overnight rain, Cowdray Seniors beat Worthing Seniors 5-3.

Results (Cowdray named first): Sam Howes & Peter Hallt beat Ian MacDonald & Bob Durgan 6&4; Ian Heustice & Barry Overington beat Mike Hall & Alex Price 2&1; Colin West & George Crouch beat Simon Norris & Gordon Harrison 4&3; Chris Hoare & Colin Tebbutt lost to Brian Quaife & John Wood 2&1; Trevor Edwards & David Wickham lost to Ricky Cannons & Neil Bowen 1 down; Ken Marjoram & Mike Briant beat Mike Hyatt & Jim Smith 4&3; Mark Kelly & Eric Bounton lost to Dec Mooney & Mike Machin 2&1; Alan Robinson & Mike Cardiff beat Michael Carroll & Ron Simcock 3&2.