There could not have been a greater contrast in the weather for the first two golf competitions of the New Year.

The Farrington Park Ladies were practically drowned by the deluge of rain on 6th January whilst playing their non-qualifying Stableford competition. Most of the field stopped playing after nine holes and retreated to the Clubhouse to dry out. A few hardy souls battled the elements until 13th hole and then called it a day.

The par 3 fifth hole yielded birdies for Jenny Ahlberg, Maureen Charlton, and June Symonds. Jackie Willcox won with a very good score of 26 points, Cynthia Miller was second, with 25 and Corrina Bates took third place with 24 points, beating Lesley Mannion on countback.

Last Thursday’s competition was a Pink Ball Bowmaker played in glorious sunny weather. It was so warm that many ladies took the opportunity to sit on the Clubhouse patio for their post-round drinks.

Teams of three played a Stableford competition, taking it in turns to use a pink ball, which scored double points. The pressure of trying not to lose the pink ball was immense! Returning the pink ball after the round ensured another five points could be added to the total team score, but losing the pink ball during the round meant only one score counted per hole after its loss. Most teams returned the pink ball, but there were a few casualties.

Rosi Brown birdied the 6th and 8th holes to help her team-mates, Lena Warren and Jenny Ahlberg score 85 points. Kath Cox, Mandy Hobbs, and Jackie Walker scored 90 points, but they were beaten on countback. Jacqui Gregory birdied the difficult 17th hole and this contribution ensured Maureen Charlton, Pauline Young and Jacqui were the eventual winners.

Jane Ball