A clear starry sky greeted all the early risers making the trip this year. However, the drive to Woodford was a mixture of enjoyable country driving and careful negotiation of patches of heavy fog with lights full on. At the Course though, it was evident that we were in for a great day’s golf, and so it turned out. It was a shame that numbers were down to only fifty players (44 men and 6 ladies), but that is a sign of the times. One of the reasons was probably that it was the first year that a bus wasn’t used.

After a welcome cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit or two and surviving the queue in the Pro Shop to pay for the game and a Buggy, play got away right on time at 9 o’clock.

For a Course with no Fairway watering, and up till recently this year, with Fairways patchy and under stress, they were in great condition, and most shots could be played without taking advantage of the Preferred Lie option. The early dew and the sanding of some Greens made putting a little more difficult than usual, but all in all, they were very good. It is a Course that challenges on every hole, but at game’s end, is appreciated for the way it can reward players for careful Course management.

A choice of four meals was offered before play and they were speedily provided to players after the completion of their Competition Rounds.

And how did our players go? The look of satisfaction on Bob Carter’s face, what you could see of it, was enough to tell he had had a good Round. And he did. His 46 points was the best of the day by 3 with Mark Butler the Visiting Player Runner Up. Anita Ross only needed 35 points to take the Ladies trophy. She topped it off with a Pin Shot too. The 17th hole Birdie Trophy went to Bernadette Bugden, the only one to Birdie it today.

Photos. To Follow after the Gatton game.

The next Home game is at Gatton on Monday 23rd June. It is an 8.30am Shotgun start.