THE annual ladies’ open at Bransford Golf Club was contested by 72 players from 13 clubs in fine conditions.

Home golfers Anne Hamilton (19 handicap), Eve Lynes (30) and Sapey’s Di Leadbetter (23) finished seven points in front in the annual three-ball alliance.

The winning trio amassed 74 points with the best two scores counting on each hole, while The Worcestershire’s Chris Urry (12), Lisa Digings (24) and Jenny Musson (28) finished second on 67.

Third on count-back went to another Bransford duo of June Atkinson (17) and Heather Bucket (36), with Gaudet Luce’s Vicky Sherwood (21) on 65.

The longest drive for visitors went to Joyce Duncan, of The Worcestershire, while Atkinson had the members’ longest drive.

Nearest the pin for visitors was by Pauline Smith from Cotswold Hills.

A raffle raised £160 for Acorns Children’s Hospice in Worcester.

Bransford members tackled the Anniversary Cup, the first major competition of the season, in testing conditions due to rain.

Sixty-eight players contested the Stableford, which was won by Steve Freeman-Taylor (21) with 43 points, six clear of Olly Walker (3) on 37.

Stuart Wood (14), Chris Eyers (7) and Richard Gent (9) all scored 36.

Andrew Lammas (6) took the winter singles title by beating Rob Richards (11) 3&2, while the pairs knockout crown was taken by Steve Bolton and brother-in-law Chris Large over Wood and Jason Keane.

Branford seniors maintained their unbeaten start to summer club matches with a 3-3 draw at Evesham after wins at South Herefordshire, Burghill Valley and Puckrup Hall.

The seniors staged the first round of their summer Stableford league with the day’s best score achieved in Division Three where Phil Spencer (25) picked up 38 points.

Second spot went to Adrian Wood (24) on 36 followed by John Burrow (28) 31, Malcolm Bradley (26) and Roger Steade (25) on 28 and Andy Lamb (25) on 26.

Division One was won by Gerry Rebbeck (15) with 36 followed by June Atkinson (17) on 34, Harry Godwin (17) on 33, Ian Hamilton (13) on 32 and Rob Blake (14), Richard Steele (13), Roy Burston (12) and Trevor Atkinson (14) on 31.

The player in form in Division Two was Martin Saunders (23), whose tally of 36 was five ahead of Peter Harrison (23) and John Phillips (22).

Neil Sheldon (21) managed 30 and Lee Dyment (20), George Batty (21) and Rob Wetton (22) finished on 29.

Blake and Burston prevailed in the final of the senior pairs on the fourth extra hole against Ian Hamilton and Harrison (23).