THE Monmouthshire Golf Club Finals of the various knock out competitions were played on Sunday, September16, which was, unusually for this year, a bright and fine day.

The Ladies Championship was contested by Caroline Cole, the reigning champion, and Angela Evans who made the final for the first time. Evans made a good start and was twice one up but Cole's consistency was the major factor and she was eight up after 17 holes.

Evans fought back and won the next four holes before Cole's experience proved too much for her and Cole completed a victory after 27 holes.

The Men's Final between Dan Brain and Andrew Cleaton was a tighter affair. Brain played level par golf to lead two up after the morning round. He then played the opening eight holes of the afternoon three under and although Cleaton fought back from the tenth, the match finished at the fourteenth with Brain five up.

The Ruther Cup (Men's singles handicap) featured Richard Parsons and Lee Thorne. Parsons played to his handicap in the morning but Thorne was in sparkling form and led six up at lunch. Thorne continued his form to finish the match after 27 holes. He had dropped just three shots over those holes playing off a handicap of 10.

The 18 hole finals were led out by The Ladies Gethin Bowl contested between Pat Boulter and Lyn Savage. The match was keenly fought with Boutler going three up after seven holes but Savage fought back to level the match over the next three holes. Boulter then played consistently over the back nine to regain the lead and won 2 & 1.

The Mens Seniors Final brought a previous Club Champion (1969), Bill Dwyer (11) up against Ron Hulston (18). Dwyer started well to take an early three up lead but Hulston fought back to lead by one at the turn. He encountered some tree trouble over the next few holes to give the advantage to Dwyer who maintained the lead and completed a three and one win.

The closest contest was in the Mixed Foursomes with Nigel and Julie Miles meeting Gina Edwards and Club Captain Ray Bradley. The highlight of the opening holes was a 20 feet putt by Julie to save the second hole. The next 15 holes were closely fought with never more than two holes in the match. The pairings arrived at the 17th green all square. Edwards was first to putt and must have thought she had gained the lead sinking a 25 footer. Julie however kept her nerve and sank an excellent 15 feet putt to ensure the match was level going down the 18th. The pressure was again on the ladies with long putts from just off the green. Edwards hit an excellent putt over and along a hogs back in the green. The putt ran over the hole to stop three feet past. Julie's putt left Nigel a five footer. He missed and Bradley kept his nerve and sank the three feet putt to win the final.

The Mens Foursomes saw last years champions Richard Jones and Antony Phillips meeting Tom Price and Morton Bayliss. Jones and Phillips maintained the recent good form whilst Price and Bayliss struggled to find consistency. The former pair won eight and seven.

The Junior Final was unable to be played on the day. Present Champion Nathan Humphreys will play Callam Morris.