By Dave Bruce

Axe Cliff golfers might have been robbed of their annual Christmas variety night again this year but that did not stop 17 hearty Seniors going out

on Christmas Eve to battle the elements in a Santa's Selection, Medal Texas Scramble. They were in teams of three or two where everyone drives and you pick the best ball which is marked and you all play the most appropriate ball and continue in this fashion until the ball is putted by one of the team. On the green the best ball is marked to the side (6 inches). One has to be careful not to finish your put even if you are very close as the rest of the team could still hole their put. The gross score is recorded on each hole under the column of the player whose drive is picked

but to try and make it fair with a three-man team you must take a minimum of five drives each; in a two man, it's 6 drives.

You then add up the team's total gross score then deduct the team's handicap allowance calculated (3 players) 30% /20% /10% from lowest to highest; (2 players , 35% low / 15% high. Thank goodness we were spared having to do our own calculations

as Brian Thompson stayed up all night working them out for us. My team of self, Mark Wisby and Phil Christmas had a gross 99 handicap with only a net of 18.6 so we had a chance. The weather, at the start, was bearable with just a cold continuous drizzle, but gradually built up to very wet and then the fog joined in to add to the fun. We were out last but decided to give up after the seventh when we saw the captain John Hanna's team coming in early . I believe most teams had finished , at least 12 holes, and John was going to give it to the best score after 12. John had gone home after recovering in the clubhouse whilst Mark, Phil and I decided to stay for a second drink and probably another hour with a few other early finishers, bedraggled, wet and weary Seniors joining us. Miraculously these two teams of Lt Commander ret'd Nigel Garwood and Chris Alexander and treasurer Bill Polley, Leighton Morgan and Dave Weston had completed all 18 holes and were the only ones to finish properly. They deserve their photo in front of the club's Christmas Tree overlooking Seaton Bay taken by Brian Thompson. I have not been given their scores but I understand that Commander Garwood and Chris did just beat Bill's team. In my opinion both teams are the winners and should be on the New Year Honours list for going above and beyond what we would normally expect. If not I know that the Commander will have something to say at next month's AGM. It was good to sing Happy Birthday to Gilbert Cox, in the clubhouse, for his 83rd birthday on Boxing Day. Gilbert has been a member of the club since 1983 and joined the Seniors in 2005 and was made captain in 2010. The Men's Section enjoyed better weather with a little sunshine on Boxing Day in the annual Anchor and Dolphin Trophy which was won by Craig Trivett but only on countback from Mike Cottam. Both had a par 36 points. Jimmy Matthews probably bought them both a pint and took third spot with a well earned 34 points.