ROUNDS of gross 84 and 76 gave Steve Smiley top men’s spot in the Worldham Golf Club Championships at the weekend, beating Derek Thayre by just one stroke.

Thayre, last year’s captain, had led on the Saturday after rounds of 79 and 82.

For the first time, Worldham’s men’s and ladies’ championships were held on the same day and in fine, sunny conditions, the course was beautifully set up for the major event of the year.

Keith Richer got things off to a flying start with a hole-in-one on the par-3 third.

Smiley (handicap 10) was trailing by five shots after his first round, but a great 76, including seven pars and four birdies, on the Sunday saw him edge past Thayre.

James Swan (hcp 25) won the Handicap Trophy with rounds of net 73 and 64, but only on countback from Richard Alesbrook (hcp 19) with 67 and 70.

The Alan Ponkin Trophy (hcps 25-28) was won by Ben Smith with net rounds of 65 and 82, earning him a handicap cut of three strokes.

The Division Two competition, for handicaps between 19 and 25, was won by club chairman Trevor Gill with a net 87 and 95.

The Worldham ladies championship was won by 11-handicapper Froz Woolston. After trailing by two shots on Saturday, she finished eight clear with rounds of gross 91 and 82.

Runner-up was Vicky Wyeth (91, 90), on countback from Lorna Paterson (89, 92). Vicky (hcp 19) also won the Handicap Trophy, on countback from Di Baycroft.

The Division Two winner was Olivia Southern with a gross 219 (103, 116) from ladies captain Joanne Wilson (110, 110). Jane Macrae won the Handicap Trophy with rounds of net 74 and 82, with Marilyn Hoare second on 79 and 78.

The prizes were presented by Worldham captains Joanne Wilson and Alan Maskell.