ALAN Curtis once again proved his class to win his second consecutive Came Down Club Championship crown, and incredibly his eighth title overall.

Last year saw Curtis become the most successful club champion to date and this year has now seen him extend this feat and prove that he can produce his best golf when it really matters, taking home the lowest gross prize and Jack Birch Championship Salver.

Meanwhile, in the handicap competition, Tony Howe played incredible golf over 36 holes to romp to victory and claim the best nett prize and the Leslie Dare Cup.

Playing off a handicap of 12, Howe’s main focus for the day was the handicap competition of which he won by six shots.

As a result of his great play, Howe made the lower handicapped players sit up and take notice in the gross event, also lying just two shots off the lead after the morning round.

He would eventually take fourth place overall in the gross competition and now has a new handicap of 10 for his efforts. A fairly stiff breeze and a well presented course made for excellent playing conditions for the championships, and a true test for all 69 players over the 36-hole competition.

The gross competition was a tight encounter after round one with some excellent scores returned. Curtis led the way with a 72, closely followed by Mark Foster (73), Mike Spearing (74) and Howe (74).

With Curtis returning a hard-fought 75 in the afternoon to total 147 for the day the challenge had been set.

Foster and Howe fell away with 77 and 79 respectively, leaving the late starter Spearing as the last realistic challenger.

Needing a 72 to take the title, Spearing played some solid golf but just came up short, matching Curtis’ 75 and finishing two adrift on 149 to take the runners-up spot.

As mentioned, Howe took victory in the nett competition. A fantastic nett 62 in the morning laid the foundations for victory.

His closest rivals – Bill Davidson (67) and Brian Smith (69) – also posted good morning rounds but no one could catch Howe in the afternoon especially with 67 returned to make a 129 total for the day.

The race for minor prizes, however, was close with Hugh Lawes firing a brilliant 64 in the afternoon to add to his 71 in the morning to take second. Smith added a fine 67 to his morning round of 69 to take third. Curtis and Howe will be hoping to continue their good form throughout the rest of the season and have set the bar for others to aspire to.

Curtis thanked the organisers and staff for a successful day and had special thanks for club captain Charlie McIntyre, who challenged Curtis after his 2010 victory that he could not win it again in 2011.