THE 34th Amberey Guild Golf Society visited, for the first time, Calderfields Golf and Country Club in Walsall, writes Dave Bolland.

This mature parkland par 73 course, with water hazards on no fewer than five holes, presented a real challenge to all competitors. The format for the weekend was a stableford competition on the Friday, a medal competition on the Saturday and a pairs better-ball on the Sunday.

The Friday competition was won by Ryan Gannaway with 36 points, from John Hatherall, Mattie Watts, Steve Lewis and Bob Maltby all with 35. Ryan Gannaway won the longest drive and Simon Freeman won the nearest the pin competition.

No birdie 2’s were registered. Simon Freeman was adjudged 'the most likely to improve'.

Being a little more familiar with the course everyone started with high hopes on the Saturday. Ryan Gannaway won the cup for Best Net with a score of 72, well ahead of Frank Riches (76) and Mike Pobjoy (80).

After deciding to rest himself on the Friday, Martin Butt (84) won the cup for Best Gross followed by Mark Anderson (88) and Ben Denley (89). Ryan Gannaway also won the longest drive and Andy Walker was nearest the pin.

Birdie 2’s were registered by Mattie Watts and Bob Maltby.

Mike Sansom was adjudged 'the most likely to improve'.

A civilised starting time on Sunday and greater familiarity with the course produced some better scoring in the Pairs Better-Ball competition. Andy Walker and Dave Bolland led the way home with 42 points, ahead of Mark Anderson and John Hatherall and Frank Riches and Lee Davis, both pairs on 39.

Mark Anderson won the 'nearest the pin in two' competition and Ray Stratford won the 'nearest the pin'.

Ray Stratford, John Hatherall and Rob Shirley registered birdie 2's.

Ben Denley and Steve Memcarelli were adjudged 'the most likely to improve'.

After Sunday lunch prizes were distributed. Ryan Gannaway won ‘personality of the weekend’.

Thanks were again expressed to Mike Sansom, Ray Stratford and Graham Hook for all their hard work in organising the weekend which was a most successful and very enjoyable one.