Fore Amigos take off with the spoils

CHRIS BISSON thought he might have blown his team's chances when he missed a tiddler on the 18th green at the La Grande Mare GC Team Open. But the seven-handicap and captain of the newly-formed Fore Amigos team need not have worried.

His men had got home with two points to spare to win the major prize at the Credit Suisse-sponsored event which attracted a maximum entry of 42 teams.

Bisson said he could not have asked more from his team of 11-handicap Ross Haines, Pierre Jehan (18) and Matt Neville (17).

'It was a right team effort all day.

'We got off to a cracking start with four cracking drives and Matt's net birdie on the first set the tone for the day.'

All four had their moments of glory, said the captain.

'Ross was very consistent all day and on the par-three 17th over the water, he made a birdie net eagle.

'He drove a five-wood a full 210 yards to four feet and then holed the putt.

'Matt also made a par on that hole. We had a lot of net birdies.'

The only potential disaster was quickly dispelled.

At the fourth the captain hit his drive out of bounds and Neville followed him.

To their relief, their team-mates produced pars and with each enjoying a shot, collected two more net birdies.

It was the first time the quartet have played a tournament together but as a four they had got together regularly over the summer.

Bisson is excited about Neville's potential.

'Matt's going to be a very good player - he hits it miles.'

The team of Watergate claimed second place on countback from The Bandits, while only five shots behind the winners were the all-woman combinations of Batif FX and Fore Divas.