GOLF: John Crouch wins Cirencester Seniors Open (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Shrivenham Park member beats field of 139

10:35am Tuesday 29th May 2012 in Sport

NO FEWER than 139 players came from near and far to compete in the Cirencester Seniors’ Open on May 22 in marvellous weather and with the course in superb condition.

The overall winner was John Crouch from Shrivenham Park Golf Club on the Wiltshire-Oxfordshire border. John took up golf seriously only three years ago when retiring and taking a back seat from the Swindon building services firm he owned.

His winning score of 39 points looked unlikely as he took a provisional ball from the 18th tee. However, his original ball had tumbled down the bank and he made a par to secure top spot.

Cirencester member, John Moss, also with 39 points was placed top of Division 1.

John, who only retired from his Cheltenham GP practice recently, was playing in his first seniors’ competition of any sort. His score was helped enormously by an eagle on the downhill par-5 third hole which garnered him a rare five points. Cirencester vice-captain John Davis was placed second in Division 1 with 37 points, the same as third-placed (on countback) Ian Disney, a member of Oxfordshire's fine Frilford Heath Golf Club.

Thirty nine points was also the winning score in Division 2, scored by Bob Cookson of Bowood near Calne. Bob Allen and Francis Sheppard from Cirencester took second and third places in Division 2. Bob might have expected more as he stood on the 18th tee with 38 points but like many before him he could not add to his score on this tricky downhill hole. Francis scored 36 points.

Another Bowood member, Tom Clarke, was awarded the Ted Davis Trophy for the best score among the over 70s. His 38 points was ahead of John Thurston, Cirencester Seniors’ captain, on 37 points, and Frank Hilton on 36 points.