Last weekend saw the Rabbits go away on their annual tour, which this year was held at the Bells Hotel and Golf Club, Coleford.
The party of 12 Rabbits and five guests arrived late on Friday morning in eager anticipation of three competitive rounds of golf, with several trophies up for grabs. The sun was shining and the forecast was good.
Friday saw the Rabbits competing for the Silver Rabbit and resulted in some impressive scores. In third place was Chris Smith with 37 points. In second place, with 40 points, was a first time tourist, Huw Phillips. The winner, who was also a first timer, with a score of 41 points, was Richard Prout.
The penalty for winning this competition was that Richard would have to play off half his handicap on day two!
Saturday's competition was for the Oman Cup, which was again played in sunny and breezy conditions. Huw Phillips was runner-up again, with 30 points. However, our winner, for the third consecutive year, with a score of 36 points was Robin Bradbury.
During the first two days, our guests were competing for the Best Guest trophy, which ended up being won by Tim Davies with a combined score of 66 points. Unfortunately, one of our guests had to retire on day one due to illness.
Over the same period, the Rabbits were also competing for the Peter Watkins Trophy for the overall winner, who was Richard Prout, with a combined score of 76 points off his full handicap.
The battle for the Crooked Putter, for the lowest combined score over the two days was Mackie Harts with 52 points, losing on countback!
Sunday saw all 16 players split and drawn in pairs competing for the Peter Nobes Salvers. Once again, the results were dominated by the first time tourists. The runners-up, with 40 points, were the duo of Richard Prout and Huw Phillips. They were beaten by John Ball (another first timer) and Robin Bradbury, with 41 points.
Sunday also saw everyone vying for the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin trophies, which were won by Chris Smith and Tim Davies, respectively.
There were also a number of financial rewards to be won for any twos on Friday and Saturday and the Lost Ball count over the three days. Richard Prout dominated again, with a two on both Friday and Saturday, earning him the princely sum of £51. Steve Cole also recorded a two on Saturday, earning him £17. The total number of lost balls was 32 and the closest guess was made by Mark Edwards (34), which earned him £17.
Whilst the trip is mainly about competitive golf and enjoying the hospitality, we also take the opportunity to raise money for charity, by having a 'fines' system. Our fines master, Mackie Harts, revels in this role and his eager eyes and ears resulted in £275 being raised, which will be rounded up to £300 from the Rabbits funds. Our captain, Paul Davies, has chosen the Paul Sartori Foundation to be the benefactor of this year's kind contributions.
To anyone who didn't win anything, just remember that it is the taking part that matters!