MORE than 160 golfers from around the country converged on Catterick, Bedale and Richmond golf courses for the fifth Dales Golf Festival.

The growing event again proved enormously popular and the few rain showers did nothing to dampen enthusiasm. Entries were received from as far afield as Winchester in the South and Fife in the North.

Brian de la Haye of Catterick said: “We are delighted that we have been able to hold this event this year despite wider restrictions and it is great that golf courses can offer such sporting entertainment when some other activities are still limited. This event just keeps growing.”

Following the final event the winners of Covid Team Events prizes were Div 1: 1st Val Hay, 2nd Sue Marshall. Div 2: 1st Margaret Suffell, 2nd Susan MacKellar.

Joe Cawley sponsored the ladies' competition, played in memory of his wife Brenda. The trophy and division one medal winner was Sue Marshall (24) net 71, 2nd Paula Hamer (13) net 73, 3rd Ruth Suffell (7) net 75. Division two medal winner was Margaret Suffell (26) net 80.

Pro Stableford: 1st Chris Suffell (10) 37pts, 2nd Raju Dura (20) 37pts, 3rd Calum Hoyle (19) 37pts.

The Sunday Extra medal was won by: 1 Michael Pratt (14) net 71, 2nd Nigel Fletcher (15) net 78, 3rd Jullian Taylor (17) net 84.

The first round of the prestigious 36 hole Chris Carveth competition was led by George Catterall (2) net 75, 2nd Lee Henderson (7) net 75, 3rd John McCaffrey (5) net 76 on countback from Ian Doughty (5).

The second round was then won by Ian Doughty net 74, George Catterall finishing second with net 76, third Jeffrey Mills (4) net 77. Therefore the overall winner of the trophy by only one shot was Ian Doughty.