Matchplay Championships.

The bad weather from Tuesday night carried over into the day, and although the skies were mainly bright huge gusts continued to batter the exposed Mid Ocean course.

One of those who felt the brunt of the conditions was St George's club manager, Max Atherden.

He needed a second extra hole to see off the challenge of Ian Page.

"To start off it was dreadful, three fronts came through with hail and I don't know how strong the wind was but it was unbelievable,'' Atherden said.

"But after 12 or 13 it cleared up and it was nice.'' The pair began early in the morning but it was mid-afternoon before they concluded their contest.

"We teed off at 9.36 a.m. and we went extra holes so we didn't actually get done until 3 p.m -- it was a marathon,'' Atherden said.

With the winds hardly letting up all day everyone had to adjust their play.

"It effects your game because it sort of blows your swing apart. You are trying to hit different shots which you don't normally do. You are trying to thump the ball down and try not to hit it too hard when you are on the greens.

It's difficult,'' Atherden said.

"I don't think anybody could have played really well out there, it was just survival.'' Atherden came back from the dead to claim the win against a player he is very familiar with.

"We play every week. We have played partners in the fourball up at Port Royal so we know each others games really well,'' he said.

"We both played badly and both had chances. I was two down with two to go and won 17 and 18. Then I had a chance to win it at the first extra hole and I three-putted and won on the next extra hole because he three-putted.'' Atherden faces another player he knows well in Tim Carr today.

"He went to the 20th today and had a rough time as well,'' said Atherden.

"We have played a bit of golf together. He made the finals last year and I think he has won it before. But with this weather it's an equaliser, anybody can win.'' Among the other winners yesterday was defending champion, Robert Vallis, who beat Andrew Dempsey four and three.

American Stan Lee, a former professional and beaten semi-finalist last year, also won through. Lee, who won the medal tournament on Tuesday, saw off Chris Barton five and four.

In the ladies championship, 17-year-old Laura Robinson, who became one of the youngest winners last year, beat Dally Winwick six and four. She plays Valerie Nearon today.