WHARTON Park Golf Club provided a stern test for players in the Worcestershire Senior County Championships following a spell of extremely wet weather.

Apart from a 75 gross by Evesham’s Nigel Taylor in the first group out, the early scoring proved just how tricky the Bewdley course was playing.

Indeed Taylor’s was one of only seven rounds in the 70’s and it was a performance that held onto top spot until the third-to-last group arrived on the 18th green when Bill Thompson (Kings Norton) posted 73.

No one in the final two groups was able to come close so he took the Nevil-Carroll Salver and became the senior county champion for 2019.

Thompson will be invited to represent Worcestershire at the English Senior Champion of Champions Tournament at Frilford Heath on September 14 and 15.

The race for the best nett score and the Denis Hayes Salver was closely fought with four players posting 71 in Thompson, Taylor, Norbeth Salmon of the host club and Lyndon Tyler (Hagley).

Salmon was first on countback for most of the day but was eventually beaten into second place by Tyler, playing in the penultimate group, by virtue of a better last three holes.

A player can only win one prize at the championships.

Bransford’s Dave Hunt won the nett honours for the 55 to 59 year age group on countback with 74.

David McGillivray, the Worcestershire county president who was among the prize-winners,  thanked the Wharton Park greens team for presenting the course in such good condition after the wet weather.

OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP HONOURS

Age 55-59 years best gross: Martin Mahon (Kings Norton) 78 on countback, nett - Dave Hunt (Bransford) 74 on countback.

60-64 best gross: McGillivray (Moseley) 82, nett - Martin Knowles (Moseley) 74.

65-69 best gross: Pete Adams (Redditch) 83, nett - Martin Tumelty (Halesowen) 78, 70+ best gross: Bryan Swain (Stourbridge) 81, nett - Peter Cooper (Hagley) 74.