Market Rasen Golf: Carmichael crowned club champion

With the players going off in reverse handicap order for round one, the first half of the 57-strong field had to contend with torrential rain and greens on which the professionals Joel and Dan worked tirelessly to clear of standing water.

The scores reflected the conditions with only five players shooting under gross 80 and just Carmichael making par 71.

There was no rain the following day for the second round, but a punishing gusty wind which brought an occasional threat of heavy showers.

The players went off in reverse gross score order with the penultimate group of men’s captain Les Brumpton, vice-captain Gaff Elliott and Paul Baker followed by intermediate Jacob Morley, junior captain Luke Parkinson and leader Carmichael.

This time, only Chris Osbourne managed to break gross 80, by one shot, with a further 16 breaking gross 90.

Carmichael ground out a 10-over-par 81 to win the Harmsworth Trophy with a total gross of 152.

Luke Parkinson, having drawn level with the leader at the 16th hole, finished second, one place better than 2015, with gross 156, and two shots behind was Jacob Morley in third.

These three players are joined by Gaff Elliott, Chris Osbourne, Les Brumpton, Steve Hewish and Paul Baker in the Birkett Trophy scratch matchplay knockout competition.

Junior member Charlie Elliott, playing off handicap 11, was one of the few players to improve on his first round score of nett 75, by five shots, to finish with a total of nett 145 and become nett champion.

Elliott was presented with the Chester Salver by the club’s former long-serving professional Tony Chester. He finished three shots ahead of runner-up Hatrel Dhindsa, playing off 13, and four clear of third-placed Les Brumpton, playing off seven.

Prizes for single round achievements went to Paul Baker (R1 - gross 77), Chris Osbourne (R2 - gross 79), Eric Winder (R1 nett 69) and Trevor Lowe (R2 - nett 71).

Men aged 55 and over were eligible to enter the Seniors Championship which was incorporated into the second day of the Harmsworth/Chester.

Chris Osbourne won the Claret Jug with his round of gross 79, closely followed by Carmichael (81) and Steve Hewish (82).

The nett prizes went to John Doughty with 70 on countback from second-placed Hatrel Dhindsa, with Andy Osbourne, the champion’s brother, in third with nett 72.

* In the Audi Trophy medal competition, the top three shot nett 70 and places were decided on countback.

Tim Brumpton won followed by Paul Baker and Adie Sawyer. The club’s finance director Richard Marshall claimed fourth place with nett 71.

Men’s vice-captain Gaff Elliott won best gross with 77, also on countback from Neil Carmichael.

* Confirming his champion status, Neil Carmichael also won the popular Torrens Bowl stableford competition, carding a splendid 40 points off five handicap.

The next four places were all three points adrift with junior Mark Bedford, Dave Robinson, in-form Adie Sawyer and junior organiser Grant Hinchliffe all separated by countback.

* Craig Smith and Gary Lancaster-Crane beat Dave Robinson and Steve Maplethorpe in the final of the Utley Trophy knockout tournament.

The losing semi-finalists were Mick Duke with John Chapman, and brothers Andy and Chris Osbourne.