NEWCOMER Sam Sutton was among the winners at one of Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club’s biggest dates on the calendar – President’s Day.

Sutton, who only recently became a member, shot a net 32 on Deer Park to take away the nine-hole trophy despite a late wobble.

More than 80 players took part in a fun-packed day which featured a huge six-way tussle for the 18-hole prize.

In the end, Chris Newman claimed the honours on countback with a net 66, a score matched by his closest rival Charlie Edwards.

Scoring was hot with several players shooting below their handicaps as Adam Cook, Dave Palmer, John Gittens and Matt Fairman each finished on net 68.

Fairman had the last laugh in the 27-hole competition, though, thwarting the unfortunate Edwards who this time missed out by a single shot.

Beryl Eastwood emerged victorious from a strong contingent of ladies with a net 73 in spite of Sue Griffiths leading for most of the day.

Cleobury professional Dave Pain said: “It was great to see Chris Newman get the win, he has had a couple of nine-hole playing lessons with me recently and it was only a matter of time before a score came.

“As for Matt, what can I say? I called it at the start of the year that he would win some competitions and he has.

“With two majors under his belt, he could be the first player in the club’s history to win the Cleobury Grand Slam, especially with the club championships not too far away.

“It was a great day for everyone involved, especially the ladies who turned out in good numbers and set a very high standard.”

Captain Bob Lucas and Jez Duffield were the two players to sample a tipple courtesy of president Tom Straughton by landing the much-anticipated champagne shot. Each snaffled a bottle of bubbly.