Island boss shoots the round of his life

STEVE OGIER won't be rushing back to the golf course, despite a remarkable return to the game in last weekend's L'Ancresse Captain's Prize. Ogier shot a 69 gross for 44 Stableford points to pip Neil Mechem for the top prize, a smart, flat-screen television.

The island football manager admitted he had not intended to play at all, but after practising with his son in the morning, noticed the event was on and noted the final group was a three-ball, including Mark Le Tissier.

'I phoned him up and said would he mind making up a two-ball and he said yes.'

The pair were last on teh course and between them played some cracking golf.

Ogier was out in 34 for 23 points, but still found himself one adrift of the former GFA chief executive.

But while Le Tissier scored only a further 17 on the back nine, Ogier, who had played just one round of golf since September, came back in 35 shots for another 21.

It was the best round of his life and included birdies at the second, sixth and 17th.

'They dropped me down two shots and I don't know how I'm going to play to five (4.7 to be exact),' said the winner.

'It all just came together on the day.

'It was just one of those days. I don't remember missing a fairway.'

Ogier's fortune was ill luck for seven-handicap Mechem, who had led on 41, in the main thanks to playing the four par-threes in two-under-par gross.

With only a handful of players to finish and with 42 points around the L'Ancresse links something of a rarity, Mechem could be excused for wondering in which room the television would look best.

But at the death, he was shoved into second place and only on countback could he claim runner-up spot from Le Tissier (11), who made bogeys at the final two holes.

In the scratch standings, Ogier also led the way again, but the prize went to Danny Bisson after some near-miraculous recovery play saw him score 36 points.

Craig Shorto took the junior prize with 39.

In all, 150 L'Ancresse members enjoyed Tim Mileham's hospitality and his grand day out also raised hundreds of pounds for charity.