First blood to Bryan

STEVE Bryan won the first round of the President’s Putter at Ashbourne Golf Club.

The competition involves two rounds of medal play followed by a knockout competition for the top eight players.

Considering the conditions, the scoring was impressive and former club captain Bryan shot a very impressive nett 68 off his 25 handicap.

Close behind was 13 handicapper Andrew Lewsey, who had a nett 69, including a birdie on the 13th in a remarkable gross back nine of 38.

Craig Brown was third with a nett 69 after birdies on eight and 15.

Martin Hellaby and Mel Godfrey were fourth and fifth with nett 70s.

Only one back were three players with nett 71s – John Hammond, who birdied the 14th, club stalwart Gary Lambert, who started slowly but had birdies on seven and 17 to help his recovery, and the inform Danny Evans.

The second round will be held on July 18.

In the delayed May Medal, the winner of the First Division with a very impressive nett 67 off his eight handicap was Darren Hooley.

His final total owed most to the fact that he shot level par on the more difficult back nine, with a superb nine straight pars.

Second in the division was Adam Randall, whose nett 69 included birdies at the 14th and difficult 18th holes.

Danny Evans was the Division Two winner with a nett 73, just getting the better of Chris Hackett, who also shot a 73 but with a slightly inferior back nine.

The Division Three winner was Paul Paddon with a hugely impressive nett 68, after birdies on the fifth and eighth holes. His current handicap looks set to come down quickly over the season.