A popular and intriguing format saw different competitors winning sweep monies – and most surprisingly most competitors retuning better than ‘all square’ in the bogey section. Special mention to Richard Kenwood for returning +5 with a two over gross for the six holes. Lady captain Cheryl Woodhouse found a late turn of form with a net 23 in the medal section. Results…

To the chagrin of some competitors, the ‘bar’ had (again) no supplies of draught or bottled beers or ciders – but the new year was toasted elegantly in the Portacabin with wine.

A small but quality field of competitors turned out in favourable conditions for this festive event, though worm casts made the course muddy in places. Scoring was expected to be good with this format and it was surprising to note a number of ‘blobs’ from competitors. In the event, 38 points was good enough to win and 3 pairs had to be separated on back 9s with Gurpal Sekhon & Stan Potts coming out victors from Maurice Bernard & Ros Lake and Richard Kenwood & Phil Flanagan. Results…

LADIES

With an excellent score of 38 points Lorna White will be celebrating her runaway victory in the Champagne Chase. Maureen Slade was second on 32 pts and Sheena Harrington a further two pts behind in third place. Results…

The CSS increased by three to 35 points. Ladies handicap list…

MEN

From the top drawer, Kerry Sergeant selected a level par round for 42 points to be returned the winner. Kerry’s round included 4 birdies and eight 3s. Second was Ian Smith with 40 points – and with ‘blobs’ at 1 and 5 he could have been the winner. Congratulations on these 2 fine rounds. Results…

CSS was unchanged from SSS 40. Men’s handicap list…

Early frost meant that the first five greens were temporaries and presented challenges to competitors in varying degrees. Graeme Syme mastered them and was one under gross through four holes and finished strongly (back nine 22 points) to win the hamper with 41 points – he’ll not starve on his return from Oz in the New Year. Results…

Richard Kenwood and Stan Potts shot 40 and 38 points to take 2nd and 3rd prizes. Best lady also with a highly commendable 38 points was Ros Lake.

Round times were a very agreeable 4¼ to 4½ hrs.

LADIES

The Lady Captain’s net 76 clinched the December monthly medal with Sheena Harrington in second on net 78. Since there were 2+ temporary greens, this was a non-qualifier for handicap. Results…

MEN

Overnight rain and wind gave way to ameliorating conditions for the reduced field of competitors in the December monthly medal played in a bogey format. Five players ended one up and the usual count back algorithm was employed to give Osman Chaudry victory being four up on the back nine from Kerry Sargeant, Peter Harrington, Graeme Syme and Nigel Ward. Results…

With four temporary greens, the competition was not accorded qualifying status and so no change in playing handicaps arose.