Matt drops six after impressive victory

L'ANCRESSE Golf Club have shot down their first bandit of the season. In the opening individual event of the new season, the then 26-handicapper, Matt Ballay, blazed around the links in 45 Stableford points to claim the Polygon Trophy.

Eleven net birdies, seven of which came on the back nine, netted 33 points alone. And with justifiable reason, the next time Ballay steps onto course he will be six shots lighter and playing off 20.

Before word of his score had reached the clubhouse, eventual runner-up Bill Burridge (21 handicap) looked favourite to claim the honours, with his gross 85 converting to 42 points.

Junior Golf Club captain Emile Thompson (6) carded 40 - a birdie at the last giving him a gross two over par 72. But even a two at the last was not good enough to see off Daniel O'Brien, who claimed the juniors honours on countback. Playing off 17, O'Brien shot the last six holes in level par gross to give him a five under par closing nine tally of 23.

Jason Le Cheminant is back to single figures, having started and finished his round with gross birdies to finish on 39 alongside Terry Crowther.

Le Cheminant, however, would have been disappointed not to do better at the sixth and 13th holes, where he failed to pick up a score.

Roger Whitehead (8) was also amongst the generous prizes courtesy of the Heritage Group, finishing on a one under par 37 to collect the veteran's prize.

At the Royal, Robin Mauger and Chris Hurley claimed the top spots in the combined Junior and Senior Cup competitions.

Mauger topped the leaderboard for higher handicaps with a 65 net, gross 84: Hurley won the senior with a 67.

David Nicolle won the scratch prize for his 73 gross.