Forty-eight probably would be a record if it referred to the score, but the highest score this week was 43 and we know that that is not the highest score for seniors. Forty-eight refers to the number of senior golfers who turned out for this week's stableford competition.

Leading his entourage from the first tee, Stan Hudson returned a better score than last week. Two practice sessions had cured his tendency to shank, so he was closer to 30 than 20. This week he suffered somewhat from second shot syndrome - the ability to spoil a good drive with a poor second shot.

Stan was not the only one to suffer this, Nigel Rimell, Graham Jenkins and Des Stone also found that their second shots did not end up where desired. Some were hit into the rough, while others just bobbled a few yards up the fairway.

Brian Morgan had a reversal of last week's card while maintaining the same total. Last week he was 17 out and 10 back, this week he was 10 out and 17 back. Ian Lucas was described as a man of great promise, a golfer of great 'might'.

Scoring the same as Paul Bradley and Robin Hagley, John Hall managed back to back birdies on the 13th and 14th holes in a round of 34. One above them, on 35, was a delighted Danny Owen. He claims it was a double first. It was the first time he had reached that score and it was more rewarding for the fact that he had used the same ball for all 18 holes. Well done Danny!

He managed to get 10 signatures on the ball and then ran out of space. By now the ball will be safely nestled, along with all his other treasures, in his memory box.

Dudley Williams turned in a champagne performance, probably the after-effects of the champagne consumed at the opening of M & S last Thursday. Along with other seniors, Jim Martin was also spotted 'in store', but he did not fare so well, 'though he did manage to increase his handicap from 24 to 25, scoring a total of 27 points.

Dudley increased his eclectic score quite considerably as he hit a run of good form. Five pars in the first seven holes certainly helped in an all round steady performance.

Brian Diment was seen walking the course, but without a trolley. His clubs were on the back of Jim's buggy, but for some reason he refused to ride shotgun. That did not prevent him from returning a good score. He would have been thinking that his 39 gave him a chance of winning - but not this week!

Another to return a high score was Tony Morris and his round was in line for a chance until he failed to score on the 18th.

Mike Fox lost his control knob last week, this week it was Chris Sierwald's turn. He lost a claw - yes a claw! He had bought a state of the art claw which fastened on to the handle of his putter allowing him to extract his ball from the hole. Having to bend over to retrieve his ball from the 11th onwards reduced his score to 27.

With a twinkle in his eye, Paul Bradley apologised to Allen Watts for interrupting his putt on the 13th. Big hitting Paul drove the green, but it did not prevent Allen from scoring 38 points in his round.

The greens had been hollow-tined which frustrated a few when they came to putt, but then it was the same for all, so there were no complaints as the green staff maintain the high standard of commitment to the course.

This week there were only three out of the 48 starters who failed to make 20, while 16 scored 30 or more. Dave Miller and Danny Owen missed out on 35 to make way for this week's superstars. As there no twos, five places were awarded prizes.

Martin Neilan was leading the table for gross score at the start of the round, he must surely have improved his total after a tremendous round of 43. Twenty-four of those points were scored on the front nine and he held his nerve to return with 19 on the back nine.

Results: 1. Martin Neilan 43 pts; 2. Tony Morris 40; 3. Brian Diment 39 (back nine); 4. Dudley Williams 39; 5. Allen Watts 38.

The high turnout meant that the bonus ball raised £50 (£10 being donated towards the fund) and last week's winner was Richard Davies.

The draw was made for pairings in next week's Chapman Foursomes. Stan informed members that the list was up for the Christmas dinner to be held at the club on Thursday, December 16.