Eggo makes handicap history

BOBBY EGGO has become the first post-war Guernsey golfer to reach the elevated status of a plus-three handicap. Eggo moved onto the mark after his brilliant record-breaking performance in winning the Royal Guernsey strokeplay championship with a seven-under-par total of 133.

The only other Guernseyman to rival Eggo's handicap status is thought to be the late Henry Smith who, under a different and arguably easier pre-war handicap system, reached plus four at the height of his powers in the 1920s and 1930s.

Eggo's total beats his own previous record of 136 set in 1995, which was matched by David Warr four years later.

In so doing, the three handicap successfully defended the R. G. Falla Trophy and his club champion title, which he has now won eight times.

As Nigel Vaudin found out, a gross three under par total of 137 does not cut it when Eggo is on fire.

Evidence of that came in the afternoon round when Eggo collected three birdies in his opening and closing half-dozen holes for a final round of 65 gross.

That five-under par total topped a morning round of 68 in which Eggo holed out for a further four birdies, giving him double figures for birdies made on the day.

With a net seven under par total of 133, Nigel Vaudin took consolation, however, in winning the Garenne Trophy which is competed for off handicap.

Fellow island player David Rowlinson rallied to finish with a four under par back nine 31 and was only one shot adrift on 134.

As a result, both Vaudin and Rowlinson are cut to just a one handicap.

The reduction has come at a crucial stage of the season as with the inter-island fixture a little over a month away, junior Jack Mitchell, Warr and Michel Davy also mounted sound weekend challenges.

Also faring well on Sunday was Graham Rabey (9 handicap) who led the Garenne Trophy standings for most of the day after a morning round of net 63.

But the former cricket star couldn't emulate his morning effort of five birdies come the afternoon heat. Rabey slipped to a net 72.

John Roche (6) took advantage of that slip with respective rounds of net 67 and 68 and with Rowlinson electing to take the runner-up spot in the championship standings Roche ousted Rabey courtesy of a better second round to finish runner-up to Vaudin in the Garenne Trophy.