For the second week running, the Farrington Park Ladies were blessed with a beautiful sunny, almost windless day for their Chinese Greensomes competition.

The organisers had decided the competition would be held over thirteen holes, in case the weather was

inclement, but although weather conditions were perfect, the air temperature was cold, and most competitors agreed that playing thirteen holes was enough.

Each pair had to decide before the start of their round who would take the second shot on the even numbered holes and who would do the same on the odd numbered.

This was probably a crucial decision, depending on the skill and consistency of the pairings, other than that,

normal Greensomes rules applied.

Surprisingly, despite the number of experienced

pairings, only two 2 spot birdies were scored from the twenty-three teams.

Twenty-four points were scored by two teams: Jane Ball and Sue Forshaw birdied the par 3 8th hole but were beaten into sixth place on countback by Min Woodward and Fiona Hassard.

Min and Fiona had a better score on the four “back 9” holes, crowned by Min chipping in on the par 5 13th hole for a valuable three points. Gail Proctor and Margaret Seery were fourth with 26 points.

One point separated the top three teams with countback employed to separate the second and third places. This was won by Corinne Durbin and Lesley Mannion, who had birdied the par 3 5th hole for four points and had a better score on the remaining holes than third placed Kath Cox and Sue Skyrme.

Six pars in their round clinched a well-deserved first place for Jackie Walker and Jackie Willcox with a very good score of 31 points.

Jane Ball