FORTY-two visitors from 13 different clubs including as far afield as Murrayfield, Scotland, joined Evesham members to play for their own claret jug awarded to the open champion.

Despite challenging conditions of rain, hail, thunder and lightening the superb organisation by professional Dan Clee ensured all 97 players completed their rounds.

The trophy winner with a battling 69 nett was Steven Johnson from Handsworth as a triple bogey on the second was followed by a superb 16 holes.

His score was matched by Evesham club secretary Fraser Williamson in second, Will James in third and Paul Callaghan in fourth with the places decided on countback.

Fifth was Rod Spears from Kings Norton with 70 and sixth-placed Benni Piovesana also got 70.

The prize for best gross went to Stuart Bennett from Enville with 72 ahead of club-mate Steve Watton with 74 and Michael Cutter from Broadway with 78.

Nearest the pin on the ninth was by Neil Priestley from West Midlands and the longest drive went to Gary Guest from Little Lakes.

Holing his second on the 15th secured nearest the pin in two for Evesham's Darren Nightingale.

Ladies' captain Eunice Allen topped 34 players in Evesham's individual stableford for the St Richard’s Hospice Cup.

There were many good scores on a fine day but none to beat the winning effort of 44 with five pars.

Runner-up with 37 was Mel Evans and third with 33 was Penny Osborne.

Thirty-six players graced the course in sunshine before the onset of rain for a Texas scramble drop out on lady captain’s day.

Nine teams of four competed.

The winners with 73.1 nett were Evans, Margaret Williams, Hana Reid and Audrey Tomkins.

Runners-up with 73.2 were Allen, Ruth Masters, Patsy Brumage and Jean Bevan.

Nearest the pin were Joan Hunt on the sixth hole and Dee Machin on the ninth.