NEARLY 100 veteran golfers took part in the Seniors Spring Open at Gosfield Lake Golf Club.

The tournament saw 96 seasoned participants from Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Hertfordshire battle it out in the stableford Better Ball competition on the freshly recovered Lakes Course, thoroughly tested by elements of three seasons in one day.

Emerging victorious after a close contest decided by countback, were Sean Connolly and Michael Stoneley from Basildon GC, who finished the Open with 40 points.

Haverhill GC's Andy Howard and Tony Gearing also scored 40 points but were edged into second place by the count back.

Third place went to Richard Gove and David Trett from Feltwell GC with 39 points, narrowly followed by Peter Digby and David Livingstone with 38 points, representing The Notleys and The Essex respectively.

The best front nine score belonged to Peter Bishop and Philip Fitch with 22 points from The Manor of Groves GC.

Meanwhile, the best back nine score went to Mark Clark and David Yates, a pairing from Stoke by Nayland GC and Braintree GC.

Additional awards went to Michael Osborne from Hainault Forrest for Nearest the Pin on the 8th hole, and Colin Hullinger from Five Lakes GC for hitting the pin nearest on the 17th.

The Gosfield Lake captain, Phil Spillane, presented the prizes amidst hearty compliments for the club's organisation, food and drink.

A successful sweepstake raised £300 towards the captain's charity, The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity.

Many golfers have already committed to returning next year.