Ocean View Golf Club members Darrin Lewis and Ann Symonds capitalised on home- course advantage in the Bermuda Golf Association’s Monthly Medal

Lewis finished tied for first with Andrew Osborne in the men’s first flight at 12 over while Symonds’s 11 over left her all the top of the ladies’ flight at the 18-hole amateur event, which was contested in trying conditions at the par-70 Devonshire layout on Sunday

Former Cup Match cricketer Lewis shot 82 in the wet and extremely windy conditions and was the clubhouse leader until Osborne came in among the later groups.

“Overall it was a good day. I hit the ball well but gave away some short putts that I missed,” Lewis said.

“The conditions were extremely tough so it was a matter of trying to keep the ball in play and not get any big blow-up holes. I hit the ball fairly well but three-putted three greens.

“I was pleased with how the day went with the conditions that were presented. We have played in those conditions the last three weeks so I am almost getting used to playing in heavy winds.

“When I go to play I challenge myself to play the course. I don’t worry about anybody else. I just love golf and enjoy playing and challenging myself.

“I haven’t been playing as much as I would like to here lately, but with daylight saving time now here, I am hoping to spend a little bit more time practising, which I haven’t been able to do.”

Hav Trott finished two shots back of Lewis and Osborne to round off the podium in the men’s first flight.

Symonds shot 81, which left her two shots clear of nearest rival Kim Botelho with Tracy Nash finishing third a further four shots back.

“It was a pretty good day and I was geared up for it,” Symonds said.

“I was a bit surprised that I shot 81 considering the conditions with the high winds. The wind was 45-50 knots and on No. 2 you had to hang your ball all the way out to North Shore in order for it to come back and sit on the green with the rain.

“I didn’t have any problem with my ball striking but my putting on the back nine let me down. I was missing small putts for par but other than that I enjoyed my round.”

The Ocean View vice-president was up against stiff competition in a small but highly competitive women’s field.

“Even though Kim Botelho is just getting back into golf, she hasn’t lost a thing,” Symonds added.

Meanwhile, Cleeve Trott (91) pipped Donovan Livingston by two shots for top honours in the men’s second flight with Cal Dill finishing third, another five shots adrift.