Crow Nest Park Club Captain Shaun Higgins is enjoying the form of his life.
After going nine years without a club majors win, he has bagged two in the space of just over a week.
A record field of 94 players entered the Crow Nest Cup and Higgins was eight shots behind on Day One. He stormed to the front with a stunning round of 72 gross, nett 62, on Day Two, giving him a final score of six under par, three strokes ahead of the rest of the field.
Two days of fine weather, coupled with excellent work from the greenkeepers gave competitors almost perfect conditions – although some of the tough pin positions on Day One caused a few problems
Higgins had long-time friend fellow member Steve Atkinson as his caddy for the event and the two combined to make a formidable team.
Shaun posted his excellent score early and had an anxious wait to see if he had been successful. It was worthwhile as one by one, the multitude of players who had returned a better first-day score fell by the wayside.
In second place was Day One leader Dave Hunt with a total score of 137 and Steve Smith was third, two under par.
The Thompson Shield is Crow Nest’s oldest major, dating back to 1996, and was given to the Club by the late Sir Donald Thompson. Lady Thompson attended the evening’s presentation and presented prizes to the winner and runners-up.
The competition attracted another record entry, this time 108. Higgins won the event by one stroke from best gross scorer Tom Holmes who shot a 71, nett 66.
Holmes took the runners-up place on a countback from Richard Langley-Webb, 11, with a gross 77. Fourth was Steven May with a 75, nett 67.
After his recent majors doubles, Higgins has reduced his handicap by four strokes in a week and now plays off his lowest-ever handicap of 5.6.
