Yet another of the most important competitions of the year was held over the weekend at the Marsa golf course.

Unlike the scratch competition and the championship, the Barclays Handicap Challenge opens up the possibility of those with relatively high handicaps achieving a good score.

Seventy-two male golfers took part on Day One and 57 achieved the draw on Day Two.

A the end of the first day, the leaders were Tony Vella (63), Henry Gray (64) and Bruce MacEwen (65), followed by Alfred Zammit, Truman Addison and Nick Borg. These six are fine players with low handicaps. Typically, the cream usually rises to the top. However, not in this case.

This year's Handicap Challenge was won by Edward Sullivan who plays off a handicap of 18. It was a delightful win and encouraging for those whose golf is not necessarily of the highest standard.

After Day One, Sullivan was 15th with a score of 69 but his Day Two 63 was good enough to place him in the lead with a final net score of 132.

Addison (8 handicap) was second. He is still 14 and achieved a round of 66 on each day, another net score of 132 over the two days. However, Sullivan's Day Two score was the better which gave him first place.

In third place, both Nicky Beck (4 handicap) and Victor Denaro (17 handicap) had a score of 135 but, yet again, Beck had a better Day Two score to clinch third place.

Nigel Stibbs, the Barclays CEO, was present throughout the two days of competition. He encouraged the players and presented the winners with the prizes.