A DIAMOND anniversary proved a best friend to the women of the East Yorkshire Ladies' Winter Golf Association and especially those of Malton and Norton Golf Club.

The club collected the Annual Trophy for the best aggregate score of the 2002-03 season and also won the knockout match-play competition at the Association's 60th annual meeting at Driffield Golf Club.

The Association's president Alison King, from the host club, presented the trophies to Malton and Norton captain Judith Fishburn.

Champagne and cake - the latter baked by Mrs King - were presented to the past presidents who attended the gathering of the Association, which was formed in 1936 but did not meet for the six years of the Second World War.

ONE swallow might not a summer make, but a spring-time triple made history at Swallow Hall GC.

Playing in the club's midweek medal, Ed Johnson not only won the event with a one-over-par round of 72, but also took the longest drive award and the nearest the pin prize.

It is thought such a clean sweep has not been done before in the club's 12-year history.

Johnson, a former secretary of York and district Squash League, took up golf only five years ago.

KEITH Snaith, a 17-handicap member of Fulford GC, won the club's annual winter Social Cup by one stableford point.

The event is decided over the best four of eight rounds and Snaith pipped former English international and captain-elect Jonathan Plaxton (two handicap) with Mike Rudd (4) in third a further point away.

THE destiny of Pike Hills GC ladies' section's Winter Trophy was not determined until the final hole, which was won by Hilary Stone and Viv Storr to pip Hilary Coombes and Jane Sykes.

Last-gasp successes were also enjoyed by the club's team of Hilary Stone, Helen Hawksby, Janice Fisher and Dorothy Lecker, who won their third round Mail On Sunday Classic tie 3-1 at home to Cobble Hall (Leeds). Three of the four matches went to the 18th hole before being settled.

YORK swept the board when they hosted the final fixture of York and District Ladies Winter Golf Alliance season, taking the first three places. The winners were Diane Haughton and Sylvia Dunning, with 72.5.

At the Alliance annual meeting which followed the final fixture, Mrs Joy Watson (Malton and Norton) was elected president for the 2003-04 season.

Updated: 12:10 Saturday, March 29, 2003