CLUB captain Mel Stocker will this week lead a party of 36 golfers, accompanied by their wives, partners and children to Malvern, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

The Worcestershire Golf Club has played matches against Chester Valley Golf Club every two years since 1988 when the tournament was initiated by the then club captain Neil Phillips.

The men play a "Ryder Cup" competition over two days with foursomes, fourball better ball and singles competitions and compete, against their American counterparts, for the prestigious Malvern Bowl presented by the club's former chairman, Ken Whimster.

The Worcestershire's ladies golfers will play a singles competition against the Chester Valley ladies, competing for the Malvern Lady Trophy. The junior golfers also have their own competition.

Visitors stay with their American hosts, are given the courtesy of the course and enjoy many delightful social functions during their week stay.

Since its inception, the home side has always won The Malvern Bowl but at this eighth meeting captain Mel Stocker is hoping the reverse the trend.

A formidable Worcestershire team including chairman, Terry Smith, directors Tony Rogers, David Healey and Simon Tinkler together with Gary Lynes, Ron Richardson and professional Richard Lewis are determined to return to the UK with the men's trophy.

A full field of golfers entered the Professional's and Left handers' Cup and the standard of golf was excellent.

In Division One four players, Clive Gallimore, Nigel Collins, Brian Coleman and Gary Lyons all returned the excellent score of net 69, but Gary Lynes was placed in third position having the better back nine score.

Former club captain Jim Campbell returned a score of net 67 to obtain second place. Returning the same score as Jim but with a better back nine holes was Simon Eales who won Division One. Tim Gordon won Division Two with a net score of 69 and Tim also won the Left Hander's Cup.

Al Hilson and Phil Burton were placed second and third respectively in Division Two both returning with scores of net 71.

Division Three saw the best score of the day with Keith Peplow returning a net score of 65, six shots below par. Marcus Hibbert and Sam Meredith were placed second and third in Division Three both returning scores of net 69.

The Ladies B Team, playing foursomes matches against Kiddermins-ter, lost by three matches to one.

The Worcestershire pair of former ladies captains Helen Irwin and Esme Davy were the only winners from the Worcestershire.

Competition was keen in the ladies Hollins Cup with eight ladies returning better than par Stableford scores.

In third place with 38 points was Jennifer Simms. Betty Hakes achieved second place with 39 points while the winner was Evelyn Hill who returned the excellent score of 40 points. Alison Rosen won the 41 to 45 Stableford competition with 33 points.