Members chase the biggest prize

FOR any L'Ancresse member, winning the club's open rivals anything else in local golf, aside from the island title of course. One who can vouch for that is Mike Hamon, the club's first-team captain and L'Ancresse man for more than three decades.

He finally got his hands on the L'Ancresse Open trophy last year after a couple of near misses, shooting 65 net to win by two from Paul Le Noury.

2006 was something of a golden summer for Hamon.

He also reached the semis of the island championships and rounded off the season by clinching a place in the island team.

And this year?

'I'm playing so-so,' was the champion's verdict of his 2007 season.

'We will see what happens this weekend.'

Hamon, partnered by Ken Carre, is out at 12.30 in the middle of another big field for the 30th staging of the competition, introduced in 1978.

By the time Hamon drives off the first, another former open winner, Matt Le Tissier, will be approaching the turn. The 2003 champ, who plays out of Stoneham, is partnered by Hampshire matchplay runner-up Steve Mahy.

One hole behind will be island champion Jack Mitchell and the big-hitting Danny Blondel.

No player has been more successful in the open than Bobby Eggo.

Back in 1978 he won the main trophy as well as the scratch prize.

Since that August day, the open trophy has eluded him - playing off plus two is not conducive - but he has landed the scratch trophy a remarkable 11 times.

Last year Eggo returned a three-under 67 to win by one from Danny Bisson.

Saturday's open is preceded by the usual team open tomorrow, an event which features 62 groups of four.