The conditions for Tuesday, January 14, were accurately forecast as being very cold to start with, followed by milder conditions and then rain later in the afternoon. The BBC got it exactly right, convincing 36 seniors to turn up to play in the ninth eclectic competition of the 2013/2014 season.

You will see from the photograph that the links were covered with a fairly hard frost at the start of the competition, which caused the fairways to be fast and the greens to be slow. As the sunshine thawed the course, these conditions gradually changed, so that judging distance and speed remained pretty difficult.

As I write this article, I am aware that, all too often, I write a fairly boring litany of results, scores and information, while what I would really like to produce is some really interesting and topical gossip. I have scoured the area and exhausted my contacts in my relentless search for evidence of local police corruption, embezzlement by bankers, racial tension, sexual harassment - or even drivers running a red light! All to no avail! - So here we go again, the result of tournament is:

In third place, with a news-worthy 36 points - Newman Vincent. One point better off, the returning to form John Charnock claimed second place, while the top spot was claimed by the consistent Martin Neilan with an impressive 39 points.

There was a rash of twos, Paul Bradley on hole six, Jim Moffatt and Dudley Williams on hole 12 and Jim Moffatt (again) and Bart Youll on hole 18.

The charity raffle situation is becoming very interesting. Nobody has drawn the winning number for the last two Tuesdays, so that £20 prize money has been carried forward to this week. If the number that you drew on January 14 is matched by the National Lottery Lotto Bonus Ball number drawn on Saturday, January 18 - you will be £30 better off!

And finally, we have to say goodbye to that experienced senior and really excellent chap, Richard Chapman. Richard is moving 'Up North' and will in future be playing his golf at Formby - their gain is our loss. We all wish the Chapmans a happy and stress-free move and much joy in their new home.

Remember, in the interest of improving my output, any gossip about any of the topics listed above would be most welcome!

M.F.

Truly tiny Trotter turnout

The starting list for Friday, January 10, was quite short - four names to be exact, thus this will be an equally short article. Messrs Cole, Fox, Vincent and Williams ventured out as a fourball and thoroughly enjoyed their 15 holes in fine weather with even a dash of sunshine.

Scoring ranged from respectable to reprehensible, but Newman managed to defeat the other three and claim the top prize of £1.

Bill Williams followed his end of 2013 success with a skilful two on the sixth hole, winning a derisory 20p.

There were no other prizes for such a small field, which from a financial point of view is just as well.

As you know, dear reader, the Trotter entrance fee is 30p - so the account looks like this: Income for Friday - £1.20, Expenditure for Friday - £1.20, Surplus to Trotter General Purpose Fund -ZILCH!

I see a pattern here, first Greece, then Spain and now the Chicken Trotters! Steve Cole is formulating a begging letter to the International Monetary Fund even as I type! Please play next Friday - we need your 30p!

M.F.

Junior Section

There was no junior competition on Sunday. The next is scheduled for this Sunday - meet at the club for 10.30, with the first tee time being at 11 am.