DESPITE atrocious weather conditions, a large field of golfers turned out to compete in the third round of the Winter Better Ball competition at The Worcestershire Golf Club.

The weather was particularly fierce for the early morning golfers. They experienced heavy downpours, a blustering wind and freezing temperatures. At one stage, in the late morning, concern was expressed that the course would be closed due to flooding. Certainly the morning golfers found it very difficult to hold their wet clubs the further their round progressed. Inevitably the weather improved at mid-day and the competition was completed in better weather.

It is to the credit of the participating golfers that the standard of play was exceptional. The first ten pairs in the competition all returned scores of 40 points or better.

In first place were Dave Farley and veteran golfer Fred Wortley. Fred and Dave combined well throughout their round and returned the remarkable score of 44 points, eight points below par, to win the competition.

Two pairs returned with a score of 43 points and could only be separated on the count back system. As a result, John Pilgrim and Neville Clarke were second and former club captain, Mel Stocker, and Chris Hardy were third.

On 42 points, in fourth place, were the pairing of Colin Lane and Dave Jones and in fifth place with a score of 41 points were Bob Wilson and Ian Forrester.

In Division One of the Ladies' December Medal competition, former Lady captain, Jill Exell, came second with a net score of 79. The much-improved golfer, Janet Long, proved too strong for the other Division One competitors winning with a net score of 77.

Competition was keen in Division Two where three players returned net scores of 75. After deliberations by the Competition Committee, Diane Houston was placed third; Kate Cross second and Trina Smith declared the winner.

In the Greensome Stableford Competition, Liz Bird playing with Heather Morgan were declared the winners after a count back. Liz and Heather returned the same score, of 34 points, as Pauline Belsham and Jan Strain but gained first place due to a better back nine hole score.

Some 76 golfers entered the December mixed competition. Sally and Andrew Dare were in excellent form, returning a Stableford score of 38 points.

Sally and Andrew were two points clear of Colin and Vicky Lane who came second. Colin Jones and his wife Jenny, a relatively new member, were third with 33 points.

Seven couples scored birdies during their rounds, but Daphne and Derek Phillips had the distinction of scoring two. Derek and Daphne scored their first birdie at the 148 yard third hole and their second at the 178 yard fifth hole.