PUTTING COMPETITION JANUARY 2ND 2024. REPORT VIA MIKE HEALEY

The hard men of putting were on show today. Twelve regulars and a late entry for the long putt competition. We'll start with the long putt - all had two practice shots at a (bin-lid) putting ring and providing you landed one in the circle you became eligible for a long shot final at one of the holes. Bob Brown started by showing off with one of his trick shots, running his ball right around the inside of the ring before the ball ended up in the centre. He then moved into the final and pipped Eric Thwaites with nearest the pin by about a fingernail. Andy Mitchell suggested Pairs Betterball putting from the outset, which was yet another addition to our putting repertoire. Five circuits were played in total (with direction changes - to throw the brain and take into account the wind) and the overall winners were Alan Pocklington and Richard Collier followed by Fred Court and Mike Healey taking second place. The, by now, traditional breakfast baps were consumed with coffee and for once, everybody remembered to pay. I believe that is a first! Overall an enjoyable morning but it might have been better outside on the course. The weather today and tomorrow does not look good and all bets are off for Thursday.