IN glorious weather Ballards Gore hosted the Essex senior ladies' meeting which attracted a field of 48 playing in perfect conditions.

The overall winner of the Joy Wooster Cup was Chelmsford's Maureen Quinn with 34 points.

The trophy was presented to her by county president Helen Morgan.

Category A winner was Jill Arscot from the Essex Golf Club with 31 points.

Category B winner was Jackie Shafler (Woodford) on 33 and Category C went to Josie Hodder, from Rochford.

With the course seen at its best in the Spring sunshine it was a very succesful and enjoyable event.

Ballards Gore Ladies played the first of their Bronze Shield matches at home and notched a very close fought 4-3 victory against Garon Park.

Sadly, their representatives in the Daily Mail Foursomes, Penny Paton and Anne Roberts, were knocked out in the second round by Rochester and Cobham.

They lost by the narrowest of margins, the last putt clinching it on the 18th green.

>THE weekend of taster free lessons organised by NIGOLF at Hockley Golf Range proved a big success.

More than 70 people benefited from the weekend with ages ranging from five to 75. Said NIGOLF's Mark Sharman: "We wouldn't have had this many attend without the support of the Echo."