Ten teams of three took part in a Mixed Fun Competition on Sunday, 15th December. Tactical thinking was required before play had started on the first tee. The competition was a Three Ball Bowmaker with the best two Stableford scores to count on each hole, other than one hole on which each player could nominate to double their Stableford points and a team hole on which all three scores would be multiplied together.

No hole could be used twice. The four holes that were being nominated as team multiplier and individual double points had to be declared before play began on the first tee. Conditions were drab but fairly benign at the start, but by the end, the wind was so strong it was difficult to stand. Wayne Spencer, Mike Woodward and Lin Papadopollous came first with 85 points, with Phil Thompson, Terri O'Shea and Didi Ager coming second with 75 points on countback. Leo Seddon, Sue Stilwell and Mike Bradbury came third with 80 points. The competition was followed by a superb carvery and a quiz was held for the Captain's charity.

The week had a very festive feel in the Ladies Section. The Coppers (ladies with handicaps of 33 and above and those new to golf and trying to gain a handicap) held their Christmas Competition,

followed by lunch on Tuesday, 10th December. Coppers meets at least monthly and is an opportunity to play a round of nine or eighteen holes of golf and learn the rules with a few of the experienced members of the Ladies Section. The Christmas Competition was played by four teams of three competitors, with each team being a mix of Coppers and the Coppers Committee. Team names such as 'The Crackers' and 'Scrooges' were apt and in the spirit of the day. Dress was similarly festive. Pauline Young, Nadine Spong and Louise Gilles won, with Brenda Whitchurch, Marjorie Robinson and Maria Hitchings coming second.

The Ladies Section Annual Prize Presentation and Christmas meal took place on Wednesday, 11th December. Trophies and prizes won during the year were presented, with the Lady Captain's Trophy being awarded to Maureen Charlton by Sharman Bradshaw.

51 ladies played the customary Christmas Ball Bowmaker. Huge thanks to Jean Sage and Ellie Ager for the mulled wine and mince pies that were served at the half- way hut. Sandra Blair, Kay Clarke and Anne Scott won the competition with a staggering 111 points. Two spots were achieved by Mandy Hobbs and Ange Hudd, both on the eighth hole.

Farrington Park Men

Saturday's Stableford, held on 7th December, saw Division One topped by John Russell, with 43 pts, closely followed by Adrian Cronin on 42. Paul Gregory took third spot with 41. In Division Two, Roger Farr was top of the charts with 42 points, Richard Collier was second, scoring 41, and Jeff Hayward a close third, with 40 points.

In the Sunday Stableford on 8th December, Club Captain, Kevin Brimble, led the way in Division One, scoring 36 points. Second place went to Clive Stilwell, with 35 points, beating Dave Harvey on countback. In Division Two, Wayne Smith had an excellent score of 41 points, followed by Lee Matthews on 37 points, third place went to Neil Brand with 35.

Farrington Park Seniors contested an ever-popular Four Ball Better Ball competition in misty conditions. Winners of the nearest the pin competition: 5th Malcolm Brooks, 8th Tim Waller, 14th Steve Symonds, 15th Tim Waller. Results of the Better Ball competition: 1st Colin Robinson and Malcolm Brooks, 45 points, 2nd Phil Thompson and Pete Maule, 43 points, 3rd Bill and Malcolm Clark, 42 points, 4th John Butler and Peter Barnes, 39 points, 5th Dave Metcalfe and Chris Liberty, 38 points (countback), 6th Chris Standen and Tony Edwards, 38 points.