REIGNING golfer of the year Ron Barbé needed a countback to win the recent Betts medalford competition on the green of the Seychelles golf course, Anse Aux Pins.

A large field of players created a busy atmosphere at the clubhouse for the shotgun start of George Betts' farewell medalford competition.

All players were required to hit off at 12.45 p.m. with the first nine holes being medal and the back nine contested using the stableford format.

Barbé shot a blistering 22 points, followed by Andrew Richardson with 19 and William Weidner on 18. 

Shane Kleinschmidt  (16 points) was the early clubhouse leader until Weidner shot a 1 under 66 for the second week in a row to take the lead with 13 points. Barbé was the only other golfer with a chance to catch Weidner and he carded a score of 13 points to tie his opponent.

A countback was required to separate the two golfers with Barbé winning and Weidner settling for second place. Shane Kleinschmidt was third.

Nearest the pin were Chi Chi Kleinschmidt (13th), Eddie Micock (14th) and Andrew Hoareau (15th).

After the players had signed their scorecards, tournament sponsors George and Angie Betts invited the players for a longest drive shoot-out, all teeing off the 10th tee.  

Players were required to hit three balls with only shots landing on the fairway being measured.

The winner was William Weidner, second Patrick Asba and third Catney Laporte.

It is to note that George and Angie Betts have been long-time valued members of the Seychelles Golf Club and will be greatly missed.

All at the Golf Club wish them well and hope to see them back on the green in the near future.

Meanwhile, excellent scores were the order of the day in the Pairs Better Ball Stableford competition.

The leading pair at the half-way mark was Joe Elisa and Robin Johnstone on 27 points, closely followed by Bernadette Smith and William Weidner on 26 points, with Catney Laporte and Simon Dine back on 24 points. 

With such good scores on the front nine, many pairs were left wondering how much luck they would need on the back nine to figure amongst the main place-getters.

Smith and Weidner continued their excellent form, scoring another 26 stableford points on the back nine to win with a total of 52 points. 

Second place went to Elisa and Johnstone with 20 points on the back nine for a total of 47.  Mervyn Esparon and Louis Vandagne had the best back nine score of 26 points and a total of 45 points to take third place on a countback from Robert and John Savy.

Individual honours went to Joe Elisa who amassed an amazing 45 stableford points and Ron Barbé who had an eagle on the 11th hole, while seven players shared the two-club prize.