PROBUS Clubs, designed for retired professional and business people have prospered in Ross-on-Wye for over 30 years and the annual golf match between members of the Kyrle Club and their counterparts from the Vaga Club and the friendly rivalry that ensues is always keenly looked forward to.

This not only provides the opportunity for four trophies to be competed for but perhaps more importantly for the 'bragging rights' that often influences such occasions to be decided for another 12 months.

Ross Golf Club at Gorsley and its delightful tree-lined environment was again the venue for battle to commence with the outcome determined by the totals of the stableford points scored by the best four members of each team.

With Vaga lining up with eight members and Kyrle having just four representatives, the Vaga squad clearly held a distinct advantage.

However the Kyrle squad members were not to be easily denied and the occasion certainly inspired Kyrle stalwart 28 handicapper Jim Hamilton who surprised himself and his countless friends in scoring a massive 42 stableford points total to make him the top performer of the day.

While this won Jim the Trevor Lane Trophy, played for each year by the Kyrle members, his team were unable to be match his example and their 123 points team total was not enough to prevent the Vaga team celebrations with their superior 127 points score.

The prize-giving was a fun occasion that evening at Ross Golf Club's restaurant with 30 Kyrle members and their wives and 27 from Vaga joining forces to enjoy some first-class fare thanks to caterers Joanne and Richard Brown.

For Kyrle, club president Martin Barr acknowledged the outstanding golfing performance of Jim and the valued contributions from himself and fellow members, Ashley Letts and team captain Dennis Calder who organised matters on behalf of Kyrle.

For Vaga, Club president Rod Barker paid tribute to the achievement of Anthony Priddis whose 36 points score earned him the Elwyn Hayward Cup to add a new name to the trophy since it was kindly donated by Elwyn in 1990.

Fellow team players were acknowledged being Brian Donald, Peter Reynolds, David Peacock, Jon Hurley, Russell Denbigh, Ken Downham and team skipper and Vaga organiser Keith Ray.