GOLFERS had to come to terms with some blustery conditions and first-tee nerves when they took part in the annual Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club Championships.

And while Jack Severn led throughout to take the gross event, the nett was far closer with the lead changing hands a number of times before John Gallagher finally edged the title by a single shot.

Glorious sunshine greeted competitors on Saturday but many struggled at the start with the average score on the first hole being a six and the highest score an 11.

Severn took a commanding lead into the second day with a sublime one-over-par 70 while the nett leader was Jez Duffield who, despite dropping seven shots in the last four holes, finished with a nett 65 and a three-shot lead. These two were the only players to break par on the opening day.

Sunday’s weather was a greater test for the players with strong winds at times making life difficult.

Severn always headed the field but Tom Pain and Josh Rowbotham closed in and at one point, the eventual winner was just one stroke ahead.

But Severn finished his round off in style to take victory by seven with a total score of 147 over the two days. Tom Pain was runner-up on 154 with Josh Rowbotham (158) third and Grant Carbines (160) completing the top four.

The nett competition was thrown wide open when Duffield was unable to replicate his form of the opening round. That left James Whitehouse and Rob Winnall tied in the lead after good rounds on the Sunday with the former claiming the outright lead with a better count-back. That was until Gallagher kept his cool to shoot a nett 71 which, together with his opening day 69, ensured he finished level for the tournament and one shot ahead of Whitehouse and Winnall with John Gaskell (143) in fourth.

Nearest the Pin: 8th Deer – Dave Bessant, 6th Badgers – Bob Barlow, 5th Deer – Josh Rowbotham and 8th Foxes – Mark Southall (Hole In One)