A big moment for Welwyn Garden City Golf Club could not be dampened by the dark skies and wet weather.
The Mannicotts club hosted the 34th running of the Commemoration Jug, a tournament that was set up to mark the first Open title of Sir Nick Faldo, their most famous son, at Muirfield in 1987.
It is open to all club champions of any England Golf Union affiliated club and regularly attracts players from across the British Isles.
This year a ballot based on handicap was used to get the field down to 64.
But in among them were five women, following WGC's decision to extend the invitation to lady club champions for the first time.
Four former winners were back - Shaun Tarplett (1997, 2002), Ed Conduit (1998), Connor O’Brien (2016) and defending champion Aaron Crabb from Cricket St Thomas in Somerset.
The lowest handicapped player was Archie Smith from The Caversham Golf Club with +4.1, although 25 in total held a handicap index of scratch or better.
There was another first in this year's event but not one the organisers would have wanted as for the first time, the scheduled 36 holes had to be cut down to just 18 as rain ruined the afternoon.
However, it was not all doom and gloom and some players were able to return good scores.
O’Brien of Mid Herts and George Howard from Gog Magog each returned a gross 71 resulting in a play off on the 18th hole.
And it was the Hertfordshire man who took his second title, playing an incredible bunker shot from the left-side trap to within two feet of the pin.
He sank that for a three while Howard missed his putt and finished with a four.
The latter though was awarded the best morning round and the Tom Lewis Salver.
Finlay Rennie from Centurion was third and the home side's Harry Cox WGCGC was fourth on countback from Frinton-on-Sea's Brady Diplock.
The best score returned by a lady was 78 by Katy Yates, a member at Clacton on Sea.
The other WGC players were Andy Collie (82) and Kelly Cooke (81).
O'Brien made his winning speech in the dry of the clubhouse instead of on the green as is traditional.
He congratulated the club on all aspects of the weekend, especially how well the course held up to the amount of rain that fell, resulting in a well organised and enjoyable competition for everyone.
Although hugely disappointed not to be able to complete the 36 holes, chairman of the organising committee Marlene Duke said the decision to scrap the afternoon round was right and all players agreed with the outcome.
Duke extended a big thank you to all the members and staff who contributed in some way to make the event a success in spite of the horrid conditions.
She said: "It is a team effort and in spite of the weather we were able to produce a well organised event which was appreciated by all who attended."
Next year’s competition will take place on Saturday, August 3, with a practice day on the Friday.
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