It was appropriate that John Palmer, the 2008 winner of Ross Seniors Keene Cup, should claim top spot at the Seniors' annual Christmas 16 hole stableford event and lunch, which completed their year's activities. He has enjoyed a particularly effective season.

John's 36 points total was just enough to push Peter Metcalfe, 35 pts, into 2nd place with the 34 pts total scored by Clarkson Barclay, claiming the 3rd place prize. Octogenarian, Cliff Price, still regularly steps up to receive golf prizes, and this time it was a top prize, as his 32 points made him winner in the over 80s category.

Christmas arrived early for many players, 23 of the 46 Ross Seniors taking part on the day returned home with prizes and these included, Doug David, Fred Stott, Peter Lowe, Frank Gallagher, John Allen, Keith Ray and David Oates.

John Tecke finished the biggest beneficiary overall, he collected all of the '2s' kitty, as he was the only player taking part to score a birdie on one of the courses three par 3 holes.

Ross Golf Club's Men's December stableford was held recently. This competition determines which 12 players will be added to the mix to compete for the Club's Barnfield Trophy in March 2009. One hundred and seven members took part and the fine weather made for some excellent scoring.

In Handicap Division 1, 10 handicapper, Rowland Kandiah enjoyed a marvellous round and his 43 points total not only ensured that his name topped the final scoresheet, but enabled him to take a single figure 9 handicap into 2009. Second place performer Chris Bullock with 42 points also initiated a handicap reduction to 11. Chris Taylor and Neil Lancett with 41 points each booked places among the qualifiers. They were joined by two of the Club's impressive Juniors, Nick Ellis and Ross Jenkins, who carded 40 points each.

In handicap Division 2, Roy Taylor with 43 points achieved the rare distinction of winning successive top spots; he also finished No 1 in this division in the November event, quite an achievement. Gerald Turner, with 41 points surprised himself and many of his fellow seniors to claim 2nd place, and those who also played well enough to qualify were Philip Wilson (40 pts), Lee Cartwright (39 pts), and Tom Rowbery, Steve Bartholomew and Joe Irvine, who all scored 38 points. In the case of Steve Gregory's 38 points score, this meant that for the second successive month he finished in the top 6 in his handcap division.