THE top three places needed to be decided on countback as Playgolf Colchester staged their annual Turkey Trot competition.

A trio of players carded nett 65, with John Chaplin (19) securing the winning score with his card including four pars.

Two of his pars came on the back nine, including the crucial par-four birdie that saw him deservedly take the crown.

Early starter Adrian Binns (11) took second place with his card of eight pars and a pair of par four birdies, to narrowly miss out on the main big birdie. Danny Withycombe (17) carded nine pars to take third place and complete the podium places.

A large field were greeted by superb course conditions and a lovely, mild morning for the Turkey Trot medal event.

The field competed for an exclusive butcher’s voucher, in what was once again a fiercely competitive event.

A large field turned out in biting cold, but good course conditions for the Playgolf Seniors monthly stableford.

The cold and some tricky pin positions meant making a good score was difficult.

Jerry Dalton (14) won division one on countback from Will Elder (13), after both players carded 33 points.

Two points adrift in third place was Alan Burke (18), on 31 points.

Division two was headed by Keith Murray (25) with 34 points followed in second place by Bernard Keyes (25) on 33 points and third-placed Allan Bushe (28), who secured 32 points.

Bernard Keyes also received a sleeve of balls for his birdie two, on the par-three 16th hole.

Perfect conditions drew a large number of players onto the course to compete in the ladies’ December Medal.

Lucy Sadler recorded a very respectable nett 70 to take victory in division one.

Gina Macmillan carded a nett 76 to take second place, with Ann Longman a further seven shots adrift in third.

Division two was more tightly contested requiring countback to separate Linda Marshall and Shirley Birkin, after both players carded nett 83.

Marshall was first while Pauline Jordan took third place on countback from Maureen Dale, with each player carding nett 84.