LAST year Cheshire were the first county in England to stage a nine-hole championship which proved to be a great success at Alderley Edge Golf Club with entries open to men, ladies and juniors of the Cheshire clubs

Edge captain Bill Fisher, who recently won the England Captain of Captains' title, was the first winner of the championship and he returned to Hale Golf Club to defend his title.

Hale provided a fine course and excellent hospitality enjoyed by all of the players and in a close finish just a point separated the top five players.

In a card play-off on 21 points Nick Barrowclough (Alderley Edge) took top spot ahead of James Eaton (Hartford) to take the title back to Alderley Edge.

Barrowclough thanked everyone at Hale for providing an excellent course.

He was presented with his trophy by Cheshire president-elect Andrew Henshall (Wilmslow GC), who also paid tribute to everyone at Hale and the players for another very enjoyable and well-contested competition.