COMPETITIVE golf has returned to Alton.

And the first post Covid-19 competition was one of the club’s major events.

The Victory Cup celebrates the allies’ success in the First World War and it is unusual in the sense the competition follows the format of the Belgian Open, with a strokeplay event followed by a knockout tournament.

The competition on Sunday, June 7 was the strokeplay round with the top eight players progressing to the knockout phase. To further add to the glamour of the event, the Victory Cup itself was cast using the steel from the officer’s sword belonging to Captain Beavon, a member of the club in 1920.

The scores did in no way reflect the long lay-off. The captains certainly were on form – club captain Mat Ireson, a six handicapper, recorded a magnificent five-under-par round to come out top, and was separated from the senior captain only by a magnificent performance from Steve Murray (19), who came in three under par.

Terry McCrossan, the seniors’ captain, who plays off ten, finished third at three under par.

Steve Murray must have recorded one of the first competitive holes in one after the lockdown, recording an ace on the magnificent third hole, which measures 185 yards. The ace was celebrated by keeping social distance but the shout was heard throughout the course!

The captain looks forward to presenting Steve with his England Golf Boss Hole in One watch once the social side of the club opens again.

Other qualifiers were Rob Keogh (seven, net 67), Darren Miller (five, net 68), Dave Palmer (16, net 68), Dave Collingborn (17, net 69) and David Vasey (18, net 69).