WINTER has turned out to be popular for David Clayton!

Going into the final week of the 2022-23 winter league season at Denbigh Golf Club, Clayton held a slender two-point advantage at the top.

However, despite the best efforts of players during the final week of action, Clayton could not be overhauled and he is a popular league winner.

He cemented his position at the top with another good score during the closing week of action.

He has proved a most consistent player over recent months, with youth on his side casting aside the old timers.

Clayton topped the charts by accumulating 55 points, which was six points clear of runner-up Eric Howells.

Fred Jones secured third position in the winter league courtesy of his haul of 45 points.

Meanwhile, there has been double joy for Clayton, who is also a part of the victorious trio in the team competition.

Clayton joined forces with Kimi Evans and Harri Williams to triumph in the team event with 143 points.

In second position, with 118 points, was the team of Ken Jones, Robert Davies and Elwyn Thomas.

The winter league presentation coincided with the annual captain’s drive-in and this was well-attended event, with the annual captain v vice-captain match taking place.

A revised format was adopted this year, with all players playing a stableford card and the winner was declared from the aggregate score.

The captain’s team would eventually claim a narrow victory by a 918-899 margin.

To his embarrassment, captain Haydn Owen’s drive crashed into the copse, but the crafty pro predicted correctly to nullify everyone’s estimated yardage!

However, the captain had the last laugh by claiming his spot in the winner’s enclosure for the week.

He edged out Ifan Roberts and Dilwyn D Roberts on countback after the trio all claimed 39 points during the stableford event.

A lot of preparation goes into setting up the winter league each year and club thanks go to professional Ben Brierley, match and handicap chairman Don Walmsley and shop assistant Nigel Roxburgh.

Thanks also go to the green staff for their hard work in difficult conditions and the many helpers over the winter.

Results (week 17): Winner, Haydn Owen (13) 39pts. Silver: 1, Ifan Roberts (13) 39; 2, Dilwyn D Roberts (14) 39. Bronze: 1, Mike Robinson (19) 36; 2, Tony Fletcher (28) 34. Challenge hole (9th), Kimi Evans.