A CLOSE finish ensued as Stewart Ness hosted his Captain’s Day at Colchester Golf Club.

Holding a four-ball best two scores to count competition, the team of Stuart Fisher, Nigel Balls, Andy King and Matthew Michael won by a single point after returning a score of 103.

Playing off the men’s card, ladies received three extra shots.

The team of Judith Robertson, Joan Cotterill, Catherine Chick and Alison Clare made the best of it with their score of 102, which secured them second place.

Bill and Dan Eke, Dave Blackmore and Helen Tarttelin were third, on 101 points.

A yellow ball on the par threes was played in rotation and scored double.

That certainly helped team scores and on the par-three holes, scores of 11 plus were reported.

On the fourth, Mark Baker ran a charity Beat-the-Pro competition on behalf of the captain, raising more than £450 for Autism Anglia.

The captain had a number of individual prizes and they went to Peter Duley, Julie Ruscoe (eighth), Matthew Michael, Helen Tarttelin (both 13th) and Paul Smith and Maureen Crosbie (16th), all for nearest the pin while Adam Lock had the longest drive (15th).

It was also Open Week at the Braiswick course, with the ladies holding their event.

With 18 clubs represented from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, competition was always going to be wholehearted.

A team from Stockbrook Manor GC made up of Pauline Boswell, Gaye Ordford, Anne Howes and Trisha Patterson won with 92 points.

They were followed six points back by Sue Patrick, Rosina Cole, Gina Macmillan and Ann Longman from Playgolf.

With 83 points were Jane Izod, Sarah Gotts, Judith Bedwell and Rachel Goldsmith from Diss and Halesworth.

Colchester GC also hosted a mixed open which was well supported by 36 pairs from 20 clubs.

The winning pairing were Chelmsford's Joe and Pauline Nixon on 46 points.

They finished a point ahead of Bentley duo John and Norma Davison with The Burstead providing third place, after Paul and Helen Williams scored 44 points.

Norma Davison took nearest the pin on the 16th while Steven Woods secured it on the fourth for the men.

The ladies' longest drive was Brentwood’s Larayne Heath, while Ness secured it for the men on his captain's weekend.

The Essex's Ann Bedford had the joy of holing in one on the 8th.

Colchester GC's Trish Wilson and Louisa Storey won one up against Langdon Hills to progress to the ladies Munroe Foursomes county semi-finals, playing at Gosfield Lakes.

Colchester GC's Vets indifferent friendly results continued after they lost 4½-3½ to visitors Felixstowe Ferry.