THE programme for Ross-on-Wye's auspicious year was planned by a centenary committee under the chairmanship of Neville Ovens.

It started with a presentation of the history of the club with contributions by Ovens, Bill Bishop, John Gabb, and Bob Beavis.

Ovens used extensive research to give a vivid story of the trials and tribulations of the first 50 years.

This was followed by the remarkable Bishop. The sprightly 91-year-old, who recently had a lesson from club professional Nick Catchpole because he thought he was losing some length off the tee, gave an enthralling account of the building of the present course.

Next was vice-president John Gabb who gave an amusing recollection of the building of the clubhouse, and the evening closed with Beavis recalling highlights of the recent decades.

Gloucestershire County Union are honouring the club by holding their respective Ladies' and Men's Championships at the course. Newport and Pontypool are also celebrating centenaries and the three clubs will play a triangular series of matches to mark the special year.

Numerous other invitation events are planned for all sections of the club, including a special invitation day, and the celebrations will be rounded off by a centenary dinner.

The ladies' section did not start playing golf until a few years after the club was formed, but the section, under the captaincy of Maureen Turner, will be playing a full part in the celebrations, including an away day to fellow centenary club Pontypool.

n Club captain Paul Scudamore has produced a superb set of parchments detailing the history of the club and these can be viewed by visiting the website phs@ross.u-net.com.

An excellent book entitled 'A Centenary Portrait' has also been produced.