The Wychwood's new skipper Phil Garner will not be lacking captaincy experience after driving in at the west Oxfordshire club.

Garner, 62, was a highly successful Oxfordshire cricket captain in the 1980s, leading them to win the Minor Counties Championship.

Having played a number of sports before taking up golf in his early 30s, the 12-handicapper is looking forward to his year in office.

Garner said: "Like most cricketers when I wasn't playing cricket, I would have a game of golf.

"And like most cricketers, my golf swing is not very good as a result.

"I have always enjoyed golf, especially the technical side of the game."

Garner was a member at North Oxford, but joined Wychwood in 1999 after moving to nearby Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Joining him at Saturday's drive-in were the other new captains Monty Shayler (seniors), Pat Court (ladies) and Rob Knight (juniors).

Garner is supporting the Prostate Cancer Charity, while Court is raising funds for Dogs for the Disabled.

They raised £150 on the day, while Phil Chisnall, Richard Fisher, Andy Thomas and Neil Smith won a team competition.

Garner added: "The Wychwood is a very beatiful piece of countryside.

"You can play the whole course and hardly ever hear the noise of traffic.

"It is a long course so it provides a challenge for the good golfer, but it's also suitable for newcomers because it is not as tight as other courses."

Garner still plays cricket for Oxfordshire Over 50s and Shipton with whom he won the National Village Cup in 2002.

  • Drayton Park's Eddie Pepperell continued his impressive form in top amateur events by coming equal third in the prestigious Berkhamsted Trophy.

The England youth international shot rounds of 70 and 74 to finish six shots behind the winner Andy Sullivan, from Nuneaton, in an event won in the past by Sandy Lyle and Luke Donald.

Keith Bowker, meanwhile has driven in as Drayton's new captain.

  • Oxfordshire ladies' second team defeated Hampshire 5-4 at Burford and Berkshire 5.5-3.5 at Studley Wood with Bicester's Laura Watkins winning three our of four matches.
  • Henley-based investment management company Invesco Perpetual has agreed a sponsorship package with the BB&O Golf Partnership.