GOLFERS at Ross-on-Wye Golf Club got into the festive spirit prior to the festive break with the men and women holding competitions.

There were 100 entrants for the men's Christmas Fayre stableford competition when a rain stricken day seriously affected the quality of scoring.

Norman Lodge, 18 handicapper, proved himself the most adept at coping with the conditions and his 40 points total made him a worthy winner with an exceptional two strokes handicap reduction to go with his major prize.

It was Ross Junior 34 handicapper Leo Powell with a 39 points total who was able to take home the Christmas Hamper.

The unusual playing conditions were also reflected in that Richard Morris, Shaun Reynolds and Steve Wallbank were able to record birdie two's.

Playing condition improved a few day later when 72 men seniors members took part in their Christmas Fayre 16 holes stableford event.

With 33 prizes up for grabs there were no shortage of winners on the day.

The occasion was tailor-made for a relative newcomer in 29 handicapper Geoff Stooke to show his worth having only recently returned from a Tim Hall School of Golf's organised visit to the Penina Golf Resort in the Algarve.

Stooke was able to demonstrate the value of his mentor's training with a masterly 38 points total to top the final score-sheet and win the day's main prize.

Gethin Jenkins and Tim Lewis also starred with 37 points totals followed by Tim Fewell's 34 points and 33 points performances by Paran Atwal, Oli Leett and Andy Baldwin.

The successful short game performers to benefit in the 2's Club on this occasion were Steve Bartholomew, John Hartle, Gethin Jenkins, David Mason and Geoff Stooke with Tim Rigden twice able to record the bragging rights associated with the achievement.

Christmas festivities began in earnest at the Ladies Christmas nine-hole competition.

The winners on the front nine holes were Jenny Freel, Pat Johnson and Lorraine Fenner.

The winners on the back nine holes were Ruth Pimlow, Sarah Forrest and Sally Fycun

Previous lady captain Katie Greenwood recently visited the Strensham base of the Midlands Air Ambulance to present them with a cheque for £2,757 raised by the Ross Ladies Section over the past year.

In rural areas the air ambulance is a lifeline for those injured in remote areas who need rapid emergency treatment and transfer to hospital which is run totally on charitable funds.