FOR many years golfers from across the county have eagerly anticipated playing in The Worcestershire's Coronation Cup.

The all-day 36-hole medal competition for pairs has always consisted of a morning round of four ball better ball competition, followed by an afternoon round of foursomes, where the partners play alternate shots.

This year, for the first time, the more difficult foursomes competition took place in the morning with the eighteen holes of four ball better ball being played in the afternoon. The course was in excellent condition for the event and the weather ideal for golf.

Two former club captains, Denis Chetwood and Stuart Bird, played exceptionally well in the difficult morning foursomes, returning the best score of 73.5. In the afternoon four ball better ball, the best return came from Roger Blackwell playing with John Ashley. Roger and John were in superb form and returned an eight under par score of 63.

The result of the Coronation Cup however is determined by the amalgamation of the morning and afternoon scores.

The winners of the Coronation Cup, with the impressive score of 135, were the runner up in the club championship, Julian Bouchet, partnered by Paul Yorke. Julian and Paul played consistent golf throughout the day and ran out worthy winners.

The inseparable pair of Carl Bayliss and Alan Watts played good golf to return a score of 137 and gain second place. In third place, with a score of 139, were Mike Lloyd and John Pilgrim. Club champion Peter Lupino, playing with Wes Curtis, returned a score of 140 to be placed fourth.

In the Ladies' Combined September Medal, former lady captain June Jones continued her run of good form to win Division One with a score of 70. June was two strokes better than Sabrina Willett who came second. Veronica Shaw came third.

Corrine Mills topped Division Two being one shot better than Heather Morgan who came second. Sandra Schofield sneaked into third place on the usual count back system. None of the ladies however could compete with Trina Smith, the former director of community nursing in South Worcestershire, who returned the best score of the day. Now retired, Trina returned a score of 68, to win Division Three by two clear strokes from Julia Radley, who came second.

In the second year of holding the Morgan-Carr Trophy, the individual matches, between the gentlemen and ladies of the club, were extremely competitive. The gentlemen were led in the four ball better ball competition, very astutely, by the club vice captain Barry Schofield.

Barry was opposed on the day by the club's charming, but very competitive, lady captain Jane Tromans. Barry and Jane led their respective teams in a very tense battle. All the games resulted in very close encounters.

At a superb dinner after the competition, attended by many of the wives and husbands, Jane graciously presented the trophy to Barry, as the men were winners by 4 games to 1 .

County success for Bird

FORMER club captain, Stuart Bird, has been a regular member of the Worcestershire County Seniors team.

Ever present, Stuart has played a major part in the team's outstanding performance throughout the year. The team has been undefeated and has recorded wins against Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Herefordshire & Shropshire, Warwick-shire, Staffordshire and Gloucestershire.

Historians are checking the record books to ascertain whether this clean sweep of wins has been achieved previously.