THORNBURY Golf Club held its premier club competition, the Men’s Club Championship, recently.

The two-day medal competition was played in fine weather over the Marlwood course, part of the Burhill Golf and Leisure Thornbury Golf Centre facility.

The golf course was immaculately presented by the course manager Stuart Bowman and his team.

In one of the closest-fought competitions for some time, the leader after day one was five-handicapper Ryan Clarke, with a gross score of 69, closely followed by Nick Gore and Jon Barton with scores of 71.

Ian Wilkie, the defending club champion and winner of the trophy for the last five years, was five shots behind with a score of 74.

Nineteen-year-old Clarke managed to maintain his lead in the second round and finished with a day two score of 73 (total 142), two ahead of second place Nick Gore to become the new club champion.

As well as picking up the Chelwood Cup, Clarke also collected trophies for the best overall nett (132) and the best Sunday nett (68).

Clarke has been a popular member at Thornbury for several years since joining as a member of the junior section and is now an established player in the Thornbury Bristol and District League first team.

He attends South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Filton, where he is studying for a sports psychology degree.

Results – Club Champion: Ryan Clarke.

Best Nett: Ryan Clarke.

Division One runner-up: Nick Gore.

Division One third place: Nick Ramshaw.

Division Two: 1st Jonathon Organ, 2nd, Liam Hanley, 3rd Trevor Thorne.

Division Three: 1st Jan Smit, 2nd James Poole, 3rd Mark Griffin.

Best Sunday Nett: Ryan Clarke.