The apprehensive group of Seniors arriving at the clubhouse as the rain, though easing, continued to fall, was somewhat dubious about completing a round of golf and remaining dry. They need not have worried, as the early showers soon faded to allow them chance to complete a card. Only one member walked in early and that was due to a heavy cold, not the conditions. So pleased were the group, that their scores reflected their joyful spirit. They were almost as happy as the group of four who managed six holes in last week's rain before retiring to the showers for a warm-up. Twenty-seven members handed in a card this week and of those, 16 scored over 30 and 11 below 30. Having said that, no-one was able to beat the course, with 36 being the highest score. One of those was Clifton John, who has not been seen since the summer. This showed in his game as he blanked six holes, birdied two and parred five to be mentioned in despatches. Bob Howse found the going tough and struggled to find the sweet spot on his driver or his putter. Martin Neilan, out with him, maintained his good form, despite a few putts that rolled up to the hole, but not into it. A birdie on the 18th, however, enabled him to equal Clifton's score, but not to win the day. That honour went, this week, to Stan Hudson, who had a consistent round, scoring seven pars and one birdie on the 14th. Snapping at the heels of this group were Brian Morgan, Brian Waters and Bart Youll on 35 and Bob Wiseman and Alan Yates on 34. Like Clifton, Dudley Williams blanked on six holes, but there the difference stopped since he could only manage 23 points and would have been nominated rear gunner had J. D. R. Williams not walked in. Derek Bath also managed six blank holes, but beat Dudley by one shot, with Richard Morgan just ahead of him on 25. Six players helped their eclectic score with a two each and they were: Clifton John, Brian Waters, Bob Wiseman, Ken Gouldsbrough, Malcolm Arlott and Bob Howse. This week's winner was Stan Hudson (back two) from Clifton John (back nine) and Martin Neilan. Next week's event will be a South African Stableford Competition and all members should check the notice board for partners and times.
