FIVE monthly stableford competitions in Ross Golf Club's winter programme provide men members with the incentive to compete for the Club's first major event in 2016 when the Annual Barnfield Trophy takes place in March.

Played off the club's shortened yellow course, the top 12 performers from each monthly competition qualify for the final and the second winter event witnessed 88 players taking part with Joe Irvine maintaining his form to claim out on top.

His 40 points saw him top handicap Division One, although he also qualified in the first winter stableford when another consistent 39 points score made him the runner-up.

Irvine followed by fellow qualifiers Niall Powell and Mike Merrick, who scored 38 points each, Simon Buck and Derek Hancock (37) and Robin Darling and Peter James (36). Handicap Division Two was headed by the day's top performer, Kingsley Matthews, with 42 points.

Michael Lawrence (36), John Sherahilo (35) and David Dockray (34) also qualified in the first winter stableford, resulting in Roger Morgan, Nigel Evand and John Tecke, who all scored 36 points, Paul Reynaert (35) and Stuart Jones (34) also taking their places.

Meanwhile, the Winter Pairs League is currently headed by octogenarian David Peacock and Phil Corcoran,

Newcomers Michael Lawrence and Tim Lewis are also making a name for themselves in second place, followed by Graham Weare and Brian Morgan, Bill Cansdale and Roger Morgan and Ian Caves and Barry Norton.