FOUR golf societies took part in a Ryder Cup-style contest.

The first four-way golf Team Matchplay Challenge Competition sponsored took place between four societies from the Leigh and district areas.

Those who took part were the Masons & Forresters (combined); Astley GS; Abbey Street GS and the hosts of the competition the Fir Tree GS.

The competition was in a 'Ryder Cup format' with society against society in semi-finals over nine holes on the morning session and the final & third and fourth-place places played over nine holes in the afternoon sessions.

The event was held at Westhoughton Golf Club.

"It meant that players only had nine holes to win their particular match with little room for errors or falling too far behind against their opponent," said Mick McCarthy, from the Fir Tree.

"The final outcome was a great win for the Abbey Street GS beating the Astley street GS, by seven and a half points to two and a half points over nine holes in the final.

"There was also a Stableford competition running simultaneously through both morning and afternoon sessions which had three players tied at 40 points each with Ray Potts from the Masons/Forresters combined team winning on a better back nine score.

"We have started something now that hopefully will keep going annually with us as the winners Abbey Street GS hosting the 2020 competition," added Dave Ruscoe the secretary of the winning team.