After heavy rain on the Saturday, the 2014 Ramsey Town Cup went ahead in sunny conditions with the greens very receptive.

This prestigious event always starts with first tee nerves and sweaty palms, as the players start what amounts to be 10 hours of golf where only the mentally strong will survive.

With Tom Gandy playing along with 20 other visitors in a competitive field, it was always going to be close over 2 laps. The course was playing very tough with some demanding pin positions which gave no easy puts.

In the morning, Tom made his presence felt and put in a gross 66, but as a plus 3 handicapper this equated to a 69 nett. A 71 in the afternoon meant the gross prize, Critchley Cup, was retained for a further year.

He sent his apologies for non-attendance at the presentation, as he had to rush home for a late call up by the English Golf Union to play in a representative match at St Andrew’s this week. The Island’s golfers will no doubt be giving him all their support in that.

Other good scores came from Keith Ward, Steve Mitchell, Charlie Garside, Martin Kinrade and Jamie Arniel, but the class of Gandy was dominant today.

The main nett prize was a very close affair. Playing well all year was David Simpson and a first round nett 66 put him at the top of the leader board, ahead of Keith Ward on count back. Paul Morris was 3rd on 68 and eventually Paul took the senior prize.

13 players broke par in the morning and they all started the 2nd lap with the same thought...it could be my day! The afternoon was hotter and so was the scoring. The wind dropped and it was not surprising that a low score was up for grabs.

Interestingly, Dave Simpson posted a 70 and thought he may have left some shots out there - but that gave him a nett 136 which would be tough to beat.

Dave Murray benefitting from some recent late night practice put in a 65 and excellent scores from Daniel Callow, 66 and Tony Kennish on 68 were both just ahead of Martin Kinrade and Richard Lockwood.

Paul Routledge managed to put two solid rounds together and a nett 138  gave him overall 4th place just behind Dave Murray on 3rd.

Tony Scambler’s morning round of 72 was a good foundation but he had some serious work to do in the afternoon to make progress. It’s really all about steady golf and playing your handicap wisely and he was able to do this effectively.

A second round of 64 put him on 136 and a tie with Dave Simpson, but he won it on count back with the superior afternoon round to win the Town Cup for the 2nd time.

Hard luck to Dave, who continues to improve, but a memorable win for Tony!

Photo: Nigel Malpass, Chair of Ramsey Town Commissioners and Tony Scambler, winner of the Ramsey Town Cup.