Bigbury Golf Club

Saturday saw the annual Santas versus Reindeer battle, the weather was dry but cold and as is tradition the correct costume was required writes Rosemary Sharps.

With the absence of our ladies’ captain Sally, Marlene, our incoming captain, took charge of the Santas and our incoming vice-captain, Jane Wain, was in charge of the reindeer. Playing in a better ball match play format, from 90 per cent handicap, the Santas were hailed the winners by one match.

Lucinda Kirkham (17) was the only player to come in under par in the ladies’ December stableford competition.

Recording a score of 37 points for first place, Lucinda came in three points ahead of second-placed Margaret Balk­will (29), who scored 34, with Christine Greenfield (33) third on 33 points.

Margaret saw her handicap drop by one shot, while Lucinda dropped one shot and then another shot under the exceptional scoring reduction system.

The men have played two stablefords so far this month and in the Sunday stableford there some very impressive scores recorded, with 10 players coming in under par.

First place had to be decided on countback when five players recorded 40 points.

Phil Winder (17) led the way for first place, with Keith Naylor (13) taking second place and captain Ben Guest (11) third.

Tony Bunch (19) and Thomas Williams (21) were edged out into fourth and fifth places respectively.

A mention should go to Simon Bagshaw and Kevin Park, who scored 39; Steve Inch and vice-captain Liam Kimber, who each scored 38; and David Thorne with 37. Good scores result in handicaps dropping with Phil, Keith, Ben, Thomas and Kevin all seeing one shot taken.

Wednesday’s stableford competition which attracted 60 entrants was played in tough conditions.

Three players, John Wallace (16), Hugh Shep­ley (19) and Roger Adams (21) all scored 36 points, John taking the win on countback, with Hugh second and Roger third.

Roger and John both had a handicap cut while Paul Edgecombe and Keith Naylor shared the twos prize pot.