AFTER days of continuous rain, a brief spell of dry weather was welcomed by the players in the Valerie Gittings Mixed Open at the Vale Golf Club, near Pershore.

Alan Gittings donated the trophy for the four-ball better-ball stableford competition in memory of his late wife Valerie.

The competition was won by the Vale’s Chris Millward, who was playing with Redditch GC’s Garry Bristow, on count-back from Mark Walters and Sheilagh Inglis (the Vale).

Both pairing’s recorded 44 points, but Millward and Bristow prevailed because of a better back nine.

In third place, on 43 points, was Broadway GC’s Kevin Carroll and Sue Jones. Melvyn and Anne Fern (Willersley Park GC) edged The Worcestershire’s Robin Darch and Pat Darch into fifth place on count-back after both pairings carded 42 points.

Visiting golfers Charles Staite and Maureen Clingo, who play at Harborne GC, won the best visitors award with 42 points.

Kevin Clarke and Angela Catlin were the best pair out of the Vale golfers, racking up 41 points.

The club also held its eighth medal of the year and a flag competition.

Twelve women took part in the silver division and Sally Smith came out on top with a nett 72.

Audrey Sidwell (nett 74) came second, while Jan Ledbury (nett 75) was third.

In the bronze division, Millward fired a nett 72 to finish first out of 16 competitors.

Lyndsey Parsons (nett 74) was the runner-up, while Anne Brown was third with a nett 77.

Clare Bunn (nett 74) landed the copper division title, a huge seven shots ahead of Sandie Seager. Pam Naylor (nett 82) was third.

Parsons also won the flag competition.