COLCHESTER Golf Club’s Coronation Cup is both a test of golf and endurance.

Played over 36 holes this all-day competition is one which always throws up a surprise or two, but it was no surprise to see Jeff Johnston come out on top.

His two-round total of a nett par 140 showed classical symmetry.

After a nett 72 in the morning he churned in a competition-winning nett 68 in the afternoon’s round to put him one shot clear of a chasing pack of four.

Leading after the morning’s round with a nett 69 was Ian Parry (9) but a nett 73 during the afternoon showed how competitive it was getting at the top.

Duncan Stewart (9), with a nett 70 after the morning, also fell away as the day progressed.

It was left to Richard Withnall (4) to push close with rounds of 74 and 67.

Both his rounds were impressive with only a double bogey at the 12th during the morning round keeping him away from the top spot and giving him second place after a countback.

Others sharing the same score were the Williams twins Ben and Joe, both off five handicap.

James Angel (4) was the one separating the twins on the countback in fourth spot.

Johnston, however, kept it all together and despite a double bogey on the last just kept his head above the rest to win the competition.

One of the highlights of the year in the Ladies’ Calendar is the Spring Meeting.

Overall winner and winner of the Bridge Box was Linda Freeman (21) on 36 points.

Penny Allen (36) also returned a card of 36 points and was able to claim second spot after a countback.

Annie Johnston (13), won the scratch prize and took third place overall on 34 points, just ahead of Gill Minns who returned 34.

Maureen Devenish took fifth place with 33, on countback from Marilyn Free.

Nearest the pin prizes went to Gill Minns on the eighth and Sally Anne Angel on the 16th.

The afternoon’s team competition was split into two sections with the winners of holes one to ten being Jan Murray, Wendy Smith and Judith Robertson with 44 points.

In second place were Madryn Abnett, Alison Cordran and Daphne Bloomfield.

Holes 11 to 18 were won by Bridget Whitworth, Katie Cooper and Ann Salmon with 32 points, followed in by Jane Jones, Heather Dennis and Philippa Deman who had 30.

The Monday mixed competition was for the Jean Ingleton Salvers.

The winners returning 36 points were Jan and Tony Murray.

In second place with 14 shots were Gill and Barrie Minns with 35.

On 34 points and leading four pairings on a similar score were club captain John Williams and Hannah Butcher.

Fiona Rose and Kevin Prince, Annie Johnston and Stuart Reed along with Cherie Clark and Roy Darby were the other pairings sharing 34 points.

To complete a heavy week of golf the club ran the Veterans’ Cup.

Attracting 70 players it was Gordon Rodgers who took the cup with 38 points.

Mike Horley was second with 36.

Three players had to be separated with a countback on 35 points.

David Brown was third with Paul Bishop taking fourth.

In fifth place was Alan Hyde.