The annual Winter Triple competition at Petersfield Golf Club reached a special milestone this year, with Maire Stradling, the founder of the event, presenting the trophy to Cowdray Park Golf Club.

The event, which has been a staple of the golfing calendar for the past 30 years, saw Cowdray Park take home the victory in their inaugural year, with a 15-point margin.

What started as a small idea has now grown into an annual event, with Rowlands Castle and, more recently, Cowdray Park joining the competition.

The event is played as a St Andrews greensome foursomes’ stableford, where both players of a team tee off on each hole, select the better ball, and then alternate strokes until the hole is completed.

Each of the three participating clubs enters four pairs, all vying for the Winter Triple Shield.

“I’m so pleased that our club and two others are still competing in the Winter Triple after 30 years,” said Stradling.

“I certainly couldn’t have imagined back then that the competition would still be going strong.”

Cowdray Park, in their first year of participation, surged ahead with a 30-point lead after the first two legs.

Despite a strong showing from Petersfield in the final leg, which saw them gain back 15 points at home, Cowdray Park held on to their lead and claimed the victory.

Petersfield’s Winter Triple captain, Jennifer Neal, offered her congratulations to the winners while expressing gratitude for the enduring support from all three clubs.

“I very much appreciate all three clubs’ support of this popular competition,” said Neal.

“Well done to Cowdray Park for winning in their first year.

“We were pleased to win the last leg at home and make up some ground, but it wasn’t enough to retain the shield for the fourth year running.”