The Cultural Exchange Visit of the Tenby Rabbits Touring Party to the Coleford area took place recently, with the party of 19 golfers hitting the road early Friday morning after a hearty bacon-filled clubhouse breakfast to descend on the undulating parkland of the Forest of Dean course by early afternoon. It was their third trip there in this decade, so those with previous experience of the course had no excuse for not getting scores in the 40s, but a variety of explanations for only two managing it were given to our reporter, Warren Hacker, who accompanied them.

One reason for the trip is to raise funds for the charity chosen by the Rabbits captain, but also to soak up the local customs (and ales), visit places of interest (museums, libraries and hostelries) - oh, and play three rounds of golf.

The ‘Silver Rabbit’ is the reward for being the least-worst golfer after the first round, tempered by having to lose half of your handicap for the second day. Steve W scored 39, but Robin must have forgotten the rules, as he tried to win, was successful with 41 points, and played off 12 for the ‘Oman Cup’ - possibly named after the comment from a previous first-day winner when he was told his handicap was being cut in two! It’s done so no-one can win both trophies and, needless to say, Robin didn’t win twice. The name to be engraved on the cup this year belongs to Steve W (more of him later), who also managed to notch 41 points.

A 4BBB pairs contest - for the ‘Peter Nobes Salvers’ - is the final competition and was won by the pair drawn to tee off first - although they actually came in last. Well done to victors Bill and Peter who managed to prevent captain Martin having to present the salver to himself, and stopping Steve W winning again.

By the time the Sunday round concluded, it was apparent that the golfing prowess of those on tour was far better than anticipated. An estimation of the total number of balls going to be lost on tour is given before play on day one and the actual total of non-located sphericals was half the biggest guess - only 57 lost between us in a variety of shots! Adrian’s guess was closest - only one over - and he would have been spot-on if someone hadn’t lain at the water’s edge with his arm elbow-deep in the hazard to retrieve his emoji par three ball.

The captain’s ‘emoji’ comp meant playing with a ‘special ball’ on all the par threes and only nine managed to follow the rules (not the captain!), with Grant coming third on 27 points, Kieron runner-up with 31 and that Steve W bloke top again on 32.

The duty of Fines Master has been handed over from Mackie to vice-captain Paul and he revelled in his new role (although his poor old room-mate suffered somewhat), so no-one will want to share with the Fines Master next year if this is continued.

In his presentation speech, captain Martin thanked Paul for his efforts, as well as treasurer Mark for his assistance on the booking front, along with the bloke what drove the mini-bus (who also allowed him to use his spectacles to read the results out.)

Mark won a prize for nearest the eighth pin, Tom won longest drive on the third, Scotty hit longest drives on the fourth and 13th and was the only one on the fifth green on day two, and nearest the pin on the fifth hole on Sunday was Steve W, who got to within three feet and then sunk the putt for the only two of the whole tour.

Bob was ‘Best Guest’ on 93 - four ahead of Scotty - and, despite not coming in ‘least best position’ on either day one or day two, it was vice-captain Paul who went up to collect the ‘Crooked Putter Prize’ for the player who was on top if the aggregate scores for days one and two were printed in reverse order.

The best aggregate scores resulted in Adrian being fourth, Kieron third, Robin runner-up, but by far the biggest cheer of the tour came when Steve W was called up to receive his Dad’s Trophy - the ‘Peter Watkins Challenge Trophy’ - and he said how proud he was to have eventually won it as he had been so near in previous years.

The total raised for charity on the tour was topped up to £200 thanks to Steve handing back some of his winnings (although he may have enough for next year’s trip!).

Hopefully, the Trippers will have recovered from the jet-lag in time for the next Rabbits Summer League match at Ashburnham on May 14 - put your name on the sheet in the clubhouse.