A LARGE entry took to the course over two days when the men of The Worcestershire played their traditional Christmas Goose Stableford.

A fine contest took place in Malvern Wells, despite the winner no longer being rewarded with such succulent Christmas fare.

Division One and overall winner Phil Birch scored 40 points off a handicap of six to beat former club chairman Alan Watts, also playing off six, on the back three.

Following them home in Division One were three players on 38, in David Marshall (1 handicap), Mark Read (4) and David Harding (5).

Trevor Cox (15) led Division Two with 37, just ahead of Gary Eames (13) also on 37, with Keith McLaughlin (14) and Nigel Allam (13) taking the minor placings on 35.

The scoring was even tighter in Division Three, with new member Simon Hart (20) easing out Richard Kay (19), as both scored 37.

Len Coleman (22) completed a successful year by taking third place ahead of Roy Cale (21) and John Monk (19), with all on 36 points.

Meanwhile, Pauline Belsham and Liz Bird carded 42 stableford points when The Worcestershire’s ladies played the latest round of their winter league tournament.

Jenny Nions and Cathy Harris secured second place with 39 points on count-back from Joan Herbert and Davina Taylor.

The winner of the nine-hole monthly league competition was Jenny Jones, with Kate Cross finishing second.