GOLFERS gathered to mark the milestone of the 120th anniversary of their Dorchester club.

At its 2016 Annual General Meeting, Came Down Golf Club celebrated 120 years of unprecedented success with the club captain, Adrian Cook, describing it as a "remarkable year".

He said: "For the first time since 1995 Came Down Ladies won the coveted Beale's Trophy beating 15 times winners and hot favourites Broadstone in a tense final. A fitting achievement during the 90th Anniversary of Ladies Golf at Came Down.

"The Club's 'Hardy B' Team led by John Simmons won their League in a tight season competing with Clubs from across Dorset. Hardy B, which caters for men with handicaps of 10 to 18, is recognised as being the hardest fought of all the Dorset Golf Leagues.

"At the other end of the scale Junior Golf has taken a huge upward turn as membership of the Came Down junior section has tripled over the year. Juniors organiser, Hugh Lawes and club professional Nick Rodgers, welcomed Archie Beesley as the new juniors captain. A programme has been developed for those completely new to golf as well as more experienced golfers, this has been supplemented by an exciting programme of matches for the juniors section.

And saving the best for last, the club president, Charles Foster, at this his last AGM, praised Matt Walker who won the 2016 Dorset County Amateur Championship. Matt is the first Came Down member to become County Champion for over seventy years."

Another highlight of the year, was the presentation of Affiliate Membership to HMS Portland. Playing for the newly commissioned 'Portland Trophy'.

It is hoped that the 'Portland Trophy' competition will become an annual event.

Adrian added that in addition to a remarkable playing year it has also been one for fund raising. Through a number of activities organised by the club and its members such as Mary Crampton and Stuart Sibley, Came Down Golf Club has raised in excess of £5,000 to be presented to a number of local charities.

Incoming president, Michael Ratsey, congratulated all members on their achievements of 2016.