Welwyn Garden City Golf Club's Commemoration Jug hits 35

The tournament was devised in 1988 to honour the Open win of Sir Nick Faldo at Muirfield one year earlier, the Mannicotts club's most famous son.

It is open to any club champion and this running, the 35th anniversary, needed a ballot to decide the 72 places.

And the finish was just as close with a play-off needed to decide the winner.

Thomas Blizzard of Droitwich with the Commemoration Jug. Picture: WGCGC (Image: Welwyn Garden City Golf Club)

Thomas Blizzard of Droitwich had finished the morning round five shots behind Finlay Rennie of the Centurion Club.

However, his afternoon round of 66 was the best score of the day and as well as giving him the Tom Lewis Salver, it also meant he finished on 141, level with Rennie who added a 71 to his 70 in the morning.

That total was one over par for two rounds, and only six golfers came in below par during the day.

The play-off needed just one hole to decide the winner, Blizzard becoming the second man from Droitwich to take the top honour, following in the footsteps of John Bickerton who claimed the title in 1989 during the second running of the competition.

Adam Rochester of Darlington's Blackwell Grange was third, adding a 69 to his morning 73, one shot behind the top two overall.

Fourth was Nick Brooker of Oulton on 143, beating WGC captain Andy Collie and Teddy Hall of Links Newmarket on countback.

The best round of the morning came from Niall Johnston of Letchworth with a 68.

This year saw the introduction of the Marlene Duke Trophy, to be awarded to the lady with the best 36 hole score.

It was presented in recognition of Marlene’s fantastic service to both the golf club and the Commemoration Jug, which she has been involved in running for every one of its 35 years.

And perhaps fittingly it was a home golfer that took the honour, Welwyn Garden City's Kelly Cooke firing a 77 and 69 to record 146 in total.

A spokesman for the club said: "Compliments were flying in every direction and all aspects of the day were commented on.

"The beautifully presented course, very green for a change, was a test to all the players with some coping far better than others. The course looked at its best so a huge thank you to Brett and his team.

"The warm welcome and help given to players by the professional staff and the help and friendliness shown by all members of staff in the clubhouse made players and guests feel very welcome.

"The splendid food provided was all much appreciated by everyone present and certainly put WGCGC hospitality on the map.

"The wonderful flower baskets and tubs around the club house and first and 10th tees ensured everywhere you looked there was colour.

"All of the above ensured that it was a very successful day. It was a superb team effort and the results and kind words expressed by so many on the day proved that it was a job well done."