Winter Competition 2008/2009
13 November

This Sunday sees the start of the 2008/2009 Winter Competition for the men.

For the benefit of our new members and to jog the memories of those who might be struggling to recall the event I will outline what the Winter Competition entails.

Playing off a full handicap allowance the competition comprises eight Stableford rounds with four rounds played on each course. The overall winner is the player with the maximum number of points scored over three rounds from the total eight rounds, and there must be at least one round scored on each course. Provided that the course layout and conditions are adequate all the rounds will count as 'qualifiers' for handicapping purposes.

In addition to the contest for the total Stableford score there are also two contests for the best eclectic scores for the two courses. The eclectic score is the best score on each of the 18 holes achieved over the four rounds that are played on either course. The winner of the eclectic is the player with the best net score and for this section the handicap allowance is one-half of the normal playing handicap.

The eight rounds of the Winter Competition are scheduled to be played through the winter season with two rounds each set for November, January, February and March. For all rounds there will be the traditional weekly 'sweep' of £2 per player and this will be paid according to results of each week's results. There will also be the traditional £1 competition entry and 50% of the accumulated competition entries will be paid out as a prize fund for both the Stableford winners and the eclectic winners. Finally, the winner of the Winter Competition is awarded a prize at the 'Annual Presentation of Prizes and Dinner Dance'.

So, there we have it and all the very best to everyone. There is however one caveat, yours truly won in 1989 and history may just repeat itself after a gap of twenty years!

Peter Harrington
November 2008