HAVING decided to pick his Tolly team on performances in competitions, captain Martin Scott decided to lead by example.

He went out in the Sunday Stableford and won with 40 points. The highlight of his round came on the second hole. A poor drive left him without a view of the green. Following a superb drawn shot round the trees he sank a 6ft putt for an outstanding birdie. Incredibly, he managed to miss five putts of around 2ft – a habit he does not want to pass on to his Tolly team.

Others scores were, Richard Alderton 40pts, who lost on a countback, Paul Hunt, Paul Gardiner and Graeme Brown, all with 39pts.

Scott's winning performance inspired his playing partner, Brian Jillings, who went on to win the Optional Stableford with 39 points, after playing a steady but uneventful round consisting of 14 pars and four bogeys.

Brian Jillings took up golf at the age of 35 when he retired from a successful football career with Lowestoft Town and Gorleston. It was the captain of the latter team who invited him to play a round of golf at Southwold.

Despite being soaked in heavy rain he enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to take up the game seriously. He joined Rookery Park and within 18 months, he had reduced his handicap to eight.

He went on to win the Lowestoft Challenge Cup, The R.V. Fisher Memorial, the Lads n' Dads, the John Emerson Greensomes, and a number of Turkeys and Stablefords. Last season he was a member of the successful Parks team.

A game he will never forget was when he played in the final of the Tolly Cobbold at Bungay. Partnered by Chris Lay he was several holes up and knowing that two other pairs had finished with easy wins, he was already savouring a team victory and a winner's medal. The three pairs had put Rookery 12 holes up. Jubilation turned to despair when the last pair came in 16 down.

Another surprise awaited Jillings when he played the third hole a fortnight ago. Paul Lowman's second shot hit a tree and rebounded straight back, striking his face and drawing blood. Whilst Jillings was trying to reassure his partner and wiping the dripping blood, Kelly Gooch, the third member of the group, arrived.

Instead of the expected sympathy he shouted 'you stupid boy, you've just earned yourself a two stroke penalty.' No offence was taken and Kelly and Lowman remain good friends.

David Batley