The first Order of Merit event of 2026 concluded at Alenda where there was a significant twist to one of the divisions. This trimestre saw a record 207 different players compete across 11 games (98 in Div 1 & 109 in Div 2) and the 'cut-off' handicap for Division 2 was 18.5, with anyone lower being in the Division 1 category. A total of 50 players managed to complete the full 4 qualifying games with 23 managing to hit the maximum 6 game tally & a further 11 managing 5 games.
In Division 1 the winner once again became clear some distance out from the end due to his excellent consistency of scoring despite the tougher playing conditions of these 4 months. Second, Third & Fourth places were all tied on 136pts so placings came down to best 3rd & best 4th score. Missing out on the podium spot was Paul Carroll who was pipped to 3rd position by Mick Lynch with a better 4th score. Mick was in turn pipped by Iain Stewart whose better 3rd score took him to second place, but our congratulations go to Jonathan Thompson, who easily took the top spot with an excellent 148pts.
Scoring 40+ points proved a greater challenge this trimestre with only 5 players making the 40's club and the top score being 42 points by Ellert Austmann at La Finca. There were also only: 2 scores of 41 points and 2 scores of 40 points.