PROMISISNG junior golf star Rhys McGinley showed that practice makes perfect to clinch the final honours of Ross Golf Club's summer programme.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal attracted a strong field of 89 entrants and it was 15-year-old McGinley who took the top honours by two shots.

Through dedicated practice and skills training with the Ross Club's Junior Academy the junior player has improved his handicap from 28 to its current 23 level in the last year.

McGinley took up the game four years ago and is a pupil at Dene Magna School in Mitcheldean. On completion of his GCSE's he plans to further his education through an extended diploma in sport at Hartpury College.

On this occasion his well balanced and measured 18 holes of golf including eight pars in which his gap wedge club play excelled and saw him card a gross 91, nett 66 medal score.

Matthew Joyner was runner-up with a nett 68 medal round which witnessed two birdies and his back nine holes negotiated with only three dropped shots and handicap improving by two shots to 13.

Peter Bennett and Nick Tamblyn followed with nett 69's.

In the gross handicap section, two handicapper Harvey Hancock again excelled to finish in top spot with a gross 71 to move him to a one handicap.

The annual Josie Powell Cup, a major event in the calendar of Ross Golf Club's ladies section, also came to a conclusion with Sally Fycun showing consistency over two rounds to clinch victory.

The cup is dedicated to the memory of Josie Powell who in her day was Lady Champion on several occasions and recognised as one of the most accomplished lady golfers in the club's history.

The competition was competed over two rounds of 18 holes, each played on a gross medal basis where the lowest combined total determines the cup winner. As is generally expected, previous cup winners have been single figure handicap players. However, this year proved to be a notable exception due to some sensational play by 13 handicapper Fycun.

In the first round played in April, Fycun took a decisive step towards the title when her gross 82 score gave her the advantage over nearest rivals Helen Palmer with gross 85 and Jan Armstrong's gross 88.

In the second round played recently, Fycun was able to maintain her composure combined with some consistent shot making and her gross 86 round to total a combined gross 168 score made her a convincing winner.

Kerry Welding was runner-up with gross 177 followed by Lady Vice Captain Katie Greenwood and Sheila Lawrence with gross 178's.

Fycun, who only started to learn the game three years ago, was victorious again a few days later with a nett 77 medal score along with Hannah Whibley and Denise Laird in the annual Ladies Medal Salver with Fycun winning by a whisker on count-back.