YOUNG Worcester golfer Kevin Barnes proved too good for top senior golfer Ken Murton in a recent round of the Clark Cup at Boughton Park.

The 13-year-old beat Murton who has also enjoyed success this year when he won the Worcestershire Senior Matchplay Championships at The Worcestershire Golf Club by beating Stan Hickin 2 and 1.

Barnes has seen his handicap come shooting down to six and is also a member of Perdiswell Park in Worcester where he started playing the game as a six-year-old.

He hit the headlines in the Evening News two years ago with a spate of tournament wins and remains on course to become the youngest ever professional on tour.

Now a regular at Boughton Park, Barnes has continued his progress and seen his handicap tumble by 10 strokes in less than two years.

Paul Matthews is Boughton Park's new club champion after he beat Tony Clements on the second extra hole of their 36 hole play off.

Meanwhile, David East and Andy Bowen are chasing a unique double at Hereford Municipal Club.

The Winter Pairs champions have reached the final of the Summer Pairs after beating Nigel Dentist and Andy James 5 and 3 in the semi finals.

The final promises to be a close affair when they meet favourites Phil Green and Colin Morgan who easily beat Shaun Vivian and Don Jarvis 6 and 4.

Hereford's Phil Green and Duncan Smith will be competing in the National Public Golf Club Championships at St Andrew's this Sunday.

Two members of the club will travel to Scotland to caddy for the pair and there would have been more followers if the finals had not coincided with the Captain's Day at Hereford Municipal.

* Joanna Hodge smashed Droitwich Golf Club's course record for girls during yesterday's junior open.

The 17-year-old from Knowle, Bristol fired a gross 67 to beat by three shots the previous record.

* Broadway Golf Club's ladies first team is riding high at the top of Division One of this year's Cotswold & District Ladies Golf Alliance.