THE Sherfield Oaks Basingstoke and Reading Corporate Open again attracted a large number of entries.

Local golfers from the area's businesses were keen to start the winter season with a victory in the well-contested annual tournament.

Last Friday's event at the American Golf-owned course in Sherfield-on-Loddon saw 32 teams of four compete for the mini-claret jug and a host of top golf prizes - available thanks to sponsor Interbrew.

Early conditions were favourable, with little breeze to affect shots into receptive greens. But scattered showers added to the challenge faced by later teams teeing off at the par-72 Wellington.

The Gazette team of Steve Ballard, Aidan Murphy, Ernie Howe and Graeme Hamlett made the most of a 9am start, playing for the first time together to set a target the course's professional Richard Lewington felt would be "nowhere near winning".

In the best-two-nett-scores am-am format, the hacks shot a 116 total, going out in 59 and back in 57 in a solid display.

As the weather worsened, the score proved enough to secure a triumph over both previous winners - Wet and Dry, the 2002 champions, and Wavcom, the holders after triumphing in 2003.

They, respectively, scored 65 and 69 for a 124 total and 60 and 68 for a 128 score.

The first prize of brand-new top-of-the-range Ping putters crowned a top day for The Gazette when it was time for the presentation.

An array of super prizes worth £2,000 ensured teams finishing in seventh still walked away with a momento for their efforts.

Ballard said: "We all had a great day and played well as a team, scoring birdies and pars on our shot holes, which was a big plus.

"The course was in very good condition, especially after all the rain of last week. It didn't affect how the course played as the fairways and greens were excellent."

At the prize-giving, Sherfield Oaks manager Richard Pilbury said: "We really appreciate the support of all 32 teams. It's a great turnout for this occasion.

"It's the third time we've held the Corporate Open and it's been good to get back to a larger number of players this year.

"The Gazette team don't normally do too well in this event, but they have performed superbly this year to win. Congratulations to them."

Matt Tichner of County Trader won the longest drive with a mighty swipe of over 300 yards on the par-five 15th, while Malcolm Rowe, of Huw Williams' team, scooped the nearest the pin prize on the fourth, hitting to within six feet.