Kynes wins title on extra hole

IRISHMAN Mark Kynes beat South African Roland Mills on the first play-off hole to become the 2004 La Grande Mare men's champion. After 36 holes the two were locked on the 139 mark, two ahead of Paul Crump.

But as they returned to the first hole to settle the issue Mills put his second into the water short of the green and with Kynes just 12ft from the flag in two he conceded when his fourth shot failed to threaten the hole.

Kynes, a one handicap, had trailed Mills and Alastair Jardine by five shots after the opening day, having posted a 71.

But his second round 68 in windy conditions on day two brought him level with Mills who added a 73.

Kynes' recovery was all the more remarkable for the fact that he began his second round with a triple bogey seven at the first, having lost his ball in the rough down the left and had to go back to the tee.

'I didn't play too well on the Saturday,' Kynes admitted. 'But on Sunday I was happy because it was fairly windy,' he added.

While Kynes was lifting the scratch title the handicap championship prize went to 11-handicap Tim Shepherd.

'I was dead steady,' said Shepherd, whose two-round total of 129 left him four shots clear of runner-up Crump.

After a 66 on day one the head of Total CI Ltd and a member at the Porter's Park club in Radlett, Hertforshire, found sufficient fuel to go onto even better things in the second round.

His 63 was the day's best return and came despite a triple bogey on the new sixth hole.

Shepherd, who does not have a wood in his bag, added: 'My three-iron worked really well and the odd putt went in.'

Alistair Jardine won the category one/two prize for his net 133 and on day one produced an outstanding round of 61, matched by Nick Graham.

Nigel Smith scored 135 for the two days to win the category three prize and category four was won by Thomas Jardine, who also shot 135.

The new women's champion is Marion Richards.

The former captain scored 166 over the weekend to finish three clear of Nicola Wallbridge.

Back in fourth spot in the scratch stakes was Heidi Lawlor who claimed the championship title off handicap, winning by six strokes from Linda Budge.

Lawlor, who reached the semi-finals of the bronze division of the CI matchplay championships (local section) earlier this year, shot a 62 on day one and added a 65 despite finding the water off the tee on the first hole.

'My drive on the first on the second day went in the douit down on the left and I thought that was it - finished.'

But she was far from that and a steady round kept her nose in front.

Lady captain Lynne Coutanche paid tribute to both Lawlor and Richards.

'Both of them stayed very calm.'