THE Ladies golf season at Orchardleigh got off to a blistering start as the weather at one of the first main events for the ladies section was scorchio as was the performance of those playing for the USA in the Solheim Cup Competition at Orchardleigh.

The ladies team representing the USA well and truly beat the ladies representing Europe although all were winners with such brilliant weather and the course looking and playing so well.

Ladies were asked to dress in appropriate colours for their team and a beautiful stars and stripes tie worn by Lorraine Collings made out of Christmas wrapping paper was a winning number on the fashion front.

The following week a number of ladies made their way over to Erlestoke Golf Club in Wiltshire for their ladies away day where they received a very warm welcome from the new owners.

The ladies went out in groups of 3s and 4s to do battle in a Waltz with 1,2 and then 3 scores counting on each hole. With only the higher parts of the course being accessible after the lengthy recent rainy weather the ladies got to repeat the first 9 holes ensuring mastery of these holes on the second run through!

The weather stayed dry for the first 9 holes but then the rain came down on the back nine making it more difficult but this did not dampen their spirits or their fun. Individual Silver Division winner was Pat Jones and the Bronze winner was Pat Pitt. Longest drives were by Lorraine Collings and Carol Jenkins.

Nearest the pin were Di Bullock and Susan Marshall. Winning team was Pat Jones, Sheila Goodbody and Ann James and the runners up were Susan Marshall, Mary Lock, Deborah Gibson and Lin Handley.

All the ladies had a lovely meal to warm themselves up and then prizes were awarded for the above competitions.

The winner of this year's Barwell Masters at Orchardleigh was Marion Underhill who pipped Sue Marshall on countback, both coming in with a nett score of 72.

In the Bristol and District Alliance league Orchardleigh have played three games so far this season, winning 8/6 against Isle of Wedmore B at home, losing away to Filton 2/12 and beating Saltford B 9/5 away. In the Somerset Interclub league Orchardleigh lost away to Tall Pines 1/6 and beat Wells at home 5/2.