Finishing second last year; Cornwall county player Carl Burley went one better this year to triumph in the coveted Saunders Cup by one stroke at Trevose. A member of the host club; Burley scored rounds of 70 75, totalling 145 net, to lift the trophy from his nearest challenger Matt Richards, West Cornwall, on 146 net. Four players tied on 147 net and after a count-back Joe Micklethwaite, Trevose, was declared third, Cary Clarke, Trevose, was fourth, Henry Edwards, Long Sutton, was fifth and Lance Taylor, Carlyon Bay, finished sixth.

Plus-one-handicap golfer Richards won the scratch competition with rounds of 70 74 totalling 144 gross, with Burley and Micklethwaite tied on 147 gross. After a count-back, Burley was awarded second place and Micklethwaite third, followed by three players on 151. After another count-back, Clarke took fourth place, Niall Hutton fifth with Nick Gammon in sixth place.

Richards chased Burley all day long, but Edwards led the morning round with 67 net, followed by Burley and Knapman tied on 70 net with Richards in fourth place on 71 net. In the afternoon the weather kicked in, but Clarke with 70 net, Webber-Cadby 72 net and Micklethwaite 73 net all advanced on the leaders.

At the end of the day Richards handicap caught up with him; he had produced rounds of 70 74 but his plus-one-handicap meant his final score was 146 net. Burley, however, was round in 71 76 less one handicap for 145 net and he ran out the worthy winner.

Note: The Saunders Cup was the first trophy to be presented to Trevose in 1928 by the club captain, L H L Saunders. Mr Saunders went on to be captain on five occasions, the last one being 1948-49.

RESULTS: –

2016 SAUNDERS CUP – 36-holes stroke-play.

1.         Carl Burley (Trevose)                      70 75 = 145 nett.

2.         Matt Richards (West Cornwall)        71 75 = 146    “

3.         Joe Micklethwaite                            74 73 = 147    “

4.         Cary Clarke (Trevose)                     77 70 = 147    “

5.         Henry Edwards (Long Sutton)         67 80 = 147    “

6.         Lance Taylor (Carlyon Bay)             75 72 = 147    “

Gross Scores: –

1.         Matt Richards (West Cornwall)       70 74 = 144 gross.

2.         Carl Burley (Trevose)                      71 76 = 147     “

3.         Joe Micklethwaite (Trevose)           74 73 = 147     “

4.         Cary Clarke (Trevose)                    79 72 = 151     “

5.         Niall Hutton (Trevose)                    73 78 = 151     “

6.         Nick Gammon (Trevose)                75 76 = 151     “