Early indecision featured heavily on Friday, January 22, in an all too familiar debate - shall we or shan’t we? The weather forecast had optimistically stated that by 8 am the rain would cease, the clouds would clear and the sun would shine - but by 8.30 it was still drizzling, and seven undecided Chicken Trotters were peering out of the clubhouse windows trying to see a little brightness in the Western sky.

Fortunately, after another 15 minutes, the rain stopped and a little blue sky appeared - and the Trotters were off in a flash! It turned out to be a quite delightful morning, not too cold and not too windy, but above all - dry.

The Trotters’ normal 15-hole game was reduced to 14 holes, since the 18th is a tad damp, but who cares? - we had a game of golf. The scoring was very respectable, and it went like this:

Steve Cole, labouring under a handicap of nine, seized the Booby with a score of 19, but watch this space because next week he will be playing off 16 and looking for a more typical score. Just not quite good enough to be a winner, but just too good to claim a Booby was Neil Dickinson, who won nothing, lost no strokes and merely got a mention - in his own paper!

Third place went to Bart Youll, who neatly scored 28 points off a 28 handicap. In second place with a healthy score of 30 points off a 27 handicap, Mike Fox continues his snail-like climb up the rankings.

The clear winner, with a convincing 32 points while playing off 26, long time Trotter Meurig Jones. While Meurig has won many times before, he has never actually been presented with a coveted Chicken Trotter winner’s certificate, so secretary Steve put that situation to rights - and as you can see from the photograph, the ceremony took place in bright sunshine.

Just to make competing on a Friday morning a little more interesting, I have some up to date information regarding the Arthur Booker Prize. Arthur, who sadly died some years ago, was a long time member of the club, and a keen Chicken Trotter. Arthur’s son-in-law, Bob Hooper, came across his putter recently and offered it to the Trotters as a trophy in memory of his father-in-law. Bob has had the putter refurbished and mounted, and once we have had a little presentation ceremony, it will be competed for. The competition will be for the best score from five cards over the season, and the presentation will probably be after the last competition in Spring. I’m sure that you will join me in thanking Bob for his kind provision of this trophy. And finally - will there be a Trotter Team at the quiz night tonight? See you there!

M.F.