Now is roughly the time of year when the planning for winter holidays commences. We experience romantic visions of skiing or snowboarding down uncrowded, pristine pistes - or if winter sports are not your bag - basking in tropical sunshine on a white beach sipping an exotic cocktail. Holiday firms start to bombard us with attractive glossy brochures, cruises are advertised, and generally the pressure is on to leave home and go to somewhere snowy, sunny or maritime for a winter break.

Well, pleasant though this option may be, in the current financial climate and bearing in mind the tragic rate of exchange for pounds sterling to Euro - may I make a suggestion for an alternative form of winter pleasure.

I am, of course, referring to the historic and popular pastime known as 'The Chicken Trotters'. No need to travel, no need to break open the piggy bank and no need to leave Tenby - every Friday morning from October to March you can join the happy band of Trotters who compete in this historic 15-hole Stableford competition. For an entry fee of a paltry 30p you can test your skills against experienced mature golfers and attain your own unique Trotter handicap - what more could one desire?

In the coming weeks we will discuss the history of this memorable competition and explain the simple, basic rules along with the rewards on offer. There is no age restriction, no handicap limit and no need to book in advance - what could be easier?

So there we are - commit now to a winter of competitive, pleasant and undemanding golf, where the financial rewards are, to be brutally frank, quite pathetic! More information in future issues - see you there!

M.F.