CLACTON’S Ben Herbert travelled to Abu Dhabi to compete in the English Golf Union’s Daily Telegraph Junior Championship.

It was an incredible experience for the plus-three handicapper and he finished an impressive fourth, against 20 of the best young players in the UK.

Among his rivals were established England boys’ internationals Chris Lloyd and Tom Lewis.

However, Herbert rose to the occasion and finished fourth with a score of 74-75-72.

After three rounds of first-class golf, the winner on 205 was Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire) with 71-66-68. Second on 206 was Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City) with 64-69-73 and third, on 220, was Tom Anderson (Mill Green) with 74-74-72.

Clacton have a new ladies’ captain in Penny Merrell.

The move was announced at an annual general meeting, attended by 69 ladies.

Outgoing captain Maureen Fisher’s last duty in what has been a very busy and successful year was to install Merrell as lady captain for 2010.

The club stalwart of many years is the current chairperson of the club’s competitions and handicaps committee.

Fisher presented her with a bouquet of flowers and the 2010 captain’s Club Jumper.

In her opening address, Merell thanked the ladies’ committee for all the hard work put in to keep this successful section running.

Her thanks went to Pam Dear (secretary), Fiona Cope (competitions), Pam Richmond (matches), Janet Smith and Jan King (committee members).

Special mention was made to King, who has served the ladies’ section in several capacities for the last 25 years.

Prior to the ladies’ section AGM, the ladies played their traditional Turkey Chase.

The winner of the silver division was Chesh Robertson, with 23 points.

Second was Angela Barrett with 22 and third Hoon Lock with 21.

In the bronze first division, first was Heather Bradfield with 23 points and second was Sally Davis with 22, on countback from Lorna Forder, also with 22.

In the bronze second division, first was Julia Hewett with 24 points, second was Sandy Cocker with 21 and in third was Janet Smith with 20.

The junior section played round three of the successful Juniors’ Saturday Topdogs.

First was Ben Rendell on 36 points, second was Sam Teer with 35 and third was Craig James with 33.

Meanwhile, Clacton professional Jason Leveremore finished in first place when the Essex PGA held a meeting at Warley Park, in which professionals were playing for the Eddie Sadler Trophy and individual amateurs for the Presidents Cup.

Leveremore finished with 40 points.