There was an air of excitement last Sunday, as the Farrington Park Mixed Section started the Christmas festivities with a Greensomes Stableford competition with additional challenges to overcome throughout the round.

Twenty pairs took on the challenge over the Duchy course on a cold, blustery and at times, showery day. There were double Stableford points on offer at the par 4 6th and par 5 13th holes and there was a reward of three extra points for any team whose ‘ball in play’ avoided any bunkers.

The ‘Nearest the Pin’ competition was gender neutral as everyone had a chance at getting their ball closest to the holes on the par 3 5th and 15th. There was nearly a hole in one at the 15th from three competitors, who were all playing together. In the end, Rosi Brown’s ball landed about nine feet from the hole but her playing partner, John Ward’s ball, landed in front of hers, at about six feet. From the tee, it looked as if the ball was even closer. “The only way I can beat that shot, John,” said fellow competitor, Steve Ball, “ is getting a hole in one”. Steve made his shot, the ball hit the green, rolled over the hole, and stopped about eighteen inches past it. “That could have been an expensive round at the bar,” was Steve’s comment when he reached the green.

At the end of an afternoon of competitive golf, everyone retired to the Clubhouse and donned their Christmas jumpers to wear at the Christmas meal. After which, there was a short, light-hearted quiz of Christmas themed questions compiled by quizmaster, Steve Symonds, followed by the prize giving. Nearest the Pin winners were Danny Durbin (5th) and Steve Ball (15th). Quiz winners were Steve & Mandy Hobbs and Sue & Dave Forshaw. Danny Durbin was judged to have the best Christmas jumper and Tony Clement was given a special prize for having the plainest, most boring jumper!

All the winning golf teams had avoided the bunkers and scored well on the double points holes, so their scores were close. Phil & Julie Toogood scored 43 points to take fourth place. Rob Thain and Lin Papadopoullos took second place, beating Alan Fussell and Jackie Willcox on countback, after both teams scored 44 points. The winners with a ‘top of the Christmas tree’ score of 45 points were Mandy & Steve Hobbs. Jane Ball