CLACTON Golf Club’s Essex Golf Union Youth Shield team faced a tough start when they travelled to Colchester.

In wet, windy and cold conditions, they suffered a narrow defeat in their first-round match.

In the opening match, Max Smith lost one down to Cai James.

Katy Yates then lost to Daniel Nicholls at the first extra play-off hole, before junior captain Riley Faulkner won one up against Harry Hill.

Josh Bethell lost two down against Oliver Allison and 13-year-old Wilf Elliott was three down at one point but, showing great spirit, fought back to win at the first extra play-off hole against Joseph Jackson.

Clacton lost overall by three matches to two, but can be proud of their performance.

Meanwhile, Clacton’s seniors’ section played their April Medal.

The winner was Terry Musselwhite, returning a score of 99-28-71.

In second was Bob Black, with 85-13-72, on countback from third-placed Steve Hurved, with 84-12-72.

In fourth was Bob Seggie, with 85-12-73. A highlight was a hole-in-one at Clacton’s par three, 165-yard 15th hole, by Bill Highstead.

Clacton’s ladies’ section played the America Cup, which was first presented to the club in 1953 by Mrs C C Ernst. Twenty-seven ladies entered this Gold Leaf event and Sue Gurry returned a winning score of 102-28-74.

In second was Fiona Cope, with 91-14-77, and in third was Mary Cole, with 105-27-78.

Clacton’s juniors played their April sStableford and the winner was Henry Goodwin, with 42 points.

In second was George Fuller, with 38, and in third was James Wright, with 29.

A large field of Clacton men played for the Levermore Claret Jug, presented to the club to mark the 25th anniversary of Stuart Levermore’s appointment as the then PGA head professional at Clacton.

The 2016 winner, returning a score of 75-6-69, was junior captain Riley Faulkner.

In second was Brady Diplock, with 82-12-70, and in third was Nick Tedder-Ward, with 76-5-71.

Katy Yates travelled to Langdon Hills, near Basildon, to compete in the Essex Ladies’ Golf Union Spring meeting.

She did well in a quality field, finishing third.