The first fixture of the year at The Grove proved to be as popular as ever with 40 members and guests playing for the Burton Challenge Cup.

Luke Turner from Mailmetromedia who has been close to winning at so many Society golf events, finally showed he was in the groove enough to win the main trophy of the day with 35pts.

Close up in second was Clare Vivien from the DMGT legal department who was one point behind with 34pts, showing that as a new member of the Northcliffe she will be a force to be watched for the future.

Kerrel Will had travelled down from the midlands and took third place with 32pts on countback from Clive Heard in 4th and Mike Creaby in 5th.

Keith Cottington and Mike Germain, both from HQP printing had obviously been watching Luke’s previous form and invested £5 each on Luke in the Back the Winner competition. They both won £40 each with £50 going to Society funds.

It was a double win for Mike who’s shot on the Par 3 4th hole won him the champagne with guest Richard Peters winning on the 13th.

Prizes were presented by match day Captain, Will Flint and the next golf day is Walton Heath on Monday, June 20.

Press Golfing Society win at Saunton

The Press Golfing Society narrowed the gap against the Northcliffe team in this year’s annual match played at the stunning Saunton Sands golf course.

The NGS team were unfortunately reduced in numbers at the last minute as secretary Garth Burden and his wife Jayne had to drop out at the last minute because of illness and the match ended with a convincing PGS win, despite some valiant and inspiring golf by the Northcliffe players.

While the rest of the country experienced torrential rain, North Devon was spared and it was fine links weather on both days.

Northcliffe Captain, Brian Viner, presented the Lord Northcliffe Challenge Cup to PGS Captain Jamie Weir from Sky sports and the overall difference is now 14 wins for the Northcliffe, 10 for the PGS with two of the competitions halved.

The Northcliffe and the PGS are two of the oldest golfing societies in the country with the Northcliffe, formed in 1910 by Lord Northcliffe, founder of the Daily Mail newspaper, and the Press Golfing Society, formed in 1904.

Next year’s competition, organised by Northcliffe member Joe Marvell, will be at The Belfry on March 15/16.