Pictured are three of Warwickshire's past Junior Captains, and star golfers. Chris Evans had his era at the beginning of decade, Andy was the icon in the middle of those ten years and Rob Bardsley led the team so well last year, showing how good he is by breaking Olton's Amateur course record.

For Evans, it was a good day, after several years of not finding the rewards for all his efforts. Four birdies and only one mistake and Chris's 70 would be good enough to take him to Scotland.

In the second year of their hosting this ever important first stage of getting to play in the greatest golf championship, Coventry provided perfect testing playing conditions - hard greens so finding the fairway was a must to get spin. With some steady wind all day, par would have to be beaten but mistakes were common.

Just turned pro Mark Davies made four errors on the greens and seven birdies to also post a 70 - and life isn't easy at all for one of our fledgling paid players -

'The Alps Tour is quite hard work - I might win more today than I have in the rest of the season - I just needed a change'

Another 'newbie' led the whole field off the 1st tee. Rob Bardsley couldn't find the bottom of the cup and he would be two shots shy with his 73, for making the play-off.

Our Amateur's notably those from Coventry, had mixed fortunes. Sam Dodds had only recently purchased a new driver. He looked at the face whilst waiting for his first tee shot, only to discover a crack, Rushing back to the Pro Shop, Sam did his best with a new driving club - a 73 the same as Rob Bardsley.

Richard Oddy found conditions tough for a 74, and whilst Tom Ibbertson hit 14 greens he didn't putt or chip as he would have liked - for a 76. Ton goes off to the Henry Cooper Classic at Nizells this weekend - we wish him good luck and some putting form.

Other scores of note - a past Amateur Champion and 1st team player will get another chance, like Andy, to play on a course where he knows he is a winner - Warren Blaydon was the overall leader and ? 700 richer after a 69.

Sam Hufton scored 74, Rory Kirwan a 77 and Andy Jones a 76. Not quite in last year's form, James Crompton was one of the 74s

After six holes, Andy Sullivan was -3 birdieing the 1st, 5th and 6th. He bogied the 8th then parred through to the par five 16th -

'I hit it in a bush off the tee, had to drop it back 70 yards then hit an 8 iron to leave me 142.'

'I wedged to 20ft and holed that.'

('For an outrageous par' added Rob Bardsley)

Having hit the 17th Andy charged his first putt 10ft past but kept his nerve with the return. He then took driver up the last and split the fairway, leaving his so close he could throw the ball onto the green.

A club was used and having almost holed the approach for an eagle, Andy tapped in for a birdie three and his own 70.

He will be in Scotland in two weeks time, looking for a two week stay.

MORE GOOD NEWS - From Enville, another regional qualifying venue, came the great news that Jamie Carney qualified with a 72!

It was just as dramatic as Andy's progression with Jamie birdieing 17 and 18 to make the play-off then after four holes of that trial, he eagled the 1st to go through.