Club – West End GC: Steve Martin leads from front to win West End Trophy

A record number of competitors had competed in the week’s events, which begAn with the Men’s Fourball.

Glorious weather had meant umbrellas were used for shade from the sun rather than protection from rain, until the morning of the West End Trophy saw the course shrouded in a blanket of fog.

Club professional Darren Arber made frequent trips onto the course to gauge conditions and, with conditions looking less than favourable, took one last look accompanied by the captain. Course landmarks began to appear out of the gloom and the green light was given.

A near four-hour delay meant the logistics of getting everybody to complete the 36 holes needed serious consideration and with a two-tee start on the 1st and the 10th play began at 11am.

Using golf buggies, volunteers ferried players to the 10th tee and were at the 9th green to pick them up after their first round.

Play in the first round saw a swirling breeze make things tricky, but first man out, Steve Martin, set the clubhouse lead with a 67-1-66.

He remained in front with West End member John Robert Clay scoring 88-20-68 closely followed by a string of other players on 70, including club vice captain Mick Holroyde.

A quick turnaround at lunch saw players reversing their start point.

Martin was playing exceptionally well and followed up his morning round with another great effort of 68-1-67 to set the target of 133.

A second round charge of 70-3-67 from Ian Marsland put him into second place on 137, with Clay following his 68 with a 70 to finish with a creditable 138 in his first major.

Best gross on the day was from a former West End GC member and past captain, Frank Greaves, with 73-70-143.