Rob has just found out that as now part of the EGU 'A' squad he will have a few more training sessions at Woodhall in readiness for a very busy 2006, plus he will spend a week in South Africa at Fancourt, in February of next year. He, together with Matt Cryer, Chris Evans and Andy Sullivan will also be making a much shorter trip in two weeks time to play for the Midlands team against the South West over the wonderful old links of Royal West Devon.

Playing County golf for the first time in a few months was Amateur Championship runner-up Louis Meryon, now recovered from the back problems that plagued him mid summer. Louis hit 33 out of 36 greens on the day at Edgbaston, but his opening 74 include 40 putts so like Rob Steele and a few others, the ability to 'buy' a putt or two is an ever present dream on days like this.

It was very good to see how many birdies the Juniors and U21s in the field did produce - an average of over 9 (25% of holes played on the day) - the results of aggressive golf which is a must the way the game is played at the moment. However, just like the field at Wentworth last week for the HSBC World Matchplay, the number of bogies that go with the red numbers is the key to why the very best are just that little bit better.

Chris Doughill saw two big hooks cost him four shots - left is a complete no-no the whole way round Edgbaston. Chris will have the Junior Captaincy for 2006 to look forward to.

Ben Stafford also made a couple of 'howlers' but beat par on 33% of the 36 holes. For Andy Sullivan, frustration after being no more than 10ft from the hole on the 9 of the first 10 holes of his second round, and missing everything, resulted in some wayward shots which cost him 10 shots in R2.

The real 'star' of the day, apart from winner Paul Randle, was the very late entrant (the evening of the night before the Championships) Robert Bardsley. Robert is just one of a number of Juniors who have 'stepped up' to ensure that in 2006, the Warwickshire Junior Team will be a strong one, despite losing five of its best players. He played with Mark Massey who also produced a very creditable 69 in R1.

Defending Champion Craig Phillips did not fire on all cylinders but he played his part in the day -

'I said I would be taking the cup back to Nuneaton', sid Phillips who is home pro to Nuneaton where Randle plays his Club golf and was Randles' playing partner on the day, 'I just had my hands full trying to get this man round.'

Randle almost had a hole in one on the 14th to cap the win but he, along with all our best players now have one more first team match to consider before the end of the season, away against Shropshire & Herefordshire. Warwickshire are very much still in the hunt for the title they won last year and the performance of so many players at the Open will have given County Captain Andy Kearns much heart as he decides on his team