Christmas arrived early for many of Ross Golf Club’s men members with an abundance of festive prizes at stake in the final two singles competitions played prior to the seasonal break.

There were 100 entrants for the Christmas Fayre stableford competition played on the Club’s yellow course with a rain stricken day seriously affecting the quality of scoring. 18 handicapper, Norman Lodge, proved himself the most adept at coping with the conditions, and his 40 points total made him a worthy winner with an exceptional 2 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 with Leo clearly aiming to emulate the golfing achievements of his illustrious brother Niall, now a scratch player and former Ross Juniors Captain.

Simon Mills and Tim Kefalas both impressed with 38 points totals, followed by 37 points scorers Steve Woods, Brian Cartwright and Steve Wallbank and 36 points scorers David Morris, Ian Griffiths, Peter Bennett, Graham White and John Hartle.

The unusual playing conditions were also reflected in that only three players, being Richard Morris, Shaun Reynolds and Steve Wallbank were able to record birdie 2’s resulting in sizeable returns on their investment.

Thankfully there were no playing condition issues 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 after an Xmas lunch was enjoyed this meant 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 which included the party receiving coaching from the Ross Club’s Aimpoint Putting Professional Oli Leett.

With Geoff, Oli and Seniors Captain Andy Baldwin finding themselves together in the same Xmas Fayre threesome, Geoff 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.

Ross-on-Wye Golf Club is nestled in the wooded hills above the Wye Valley between Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Newent. Rolling fairways lined with mature stands of trees mean that accuracy and course management are at a premium rather than just length of hitting. Sympathetically laid out to follow the natural contours of the hills “The Ross on Wye Golf Club” is a haven for wildlife. Wild daffodils and bluebells carpet the woods in springtime and the autumn leaves are worth the walk on their own. Expect the company of numerous squirrels and look out for the buzzards regularly circling overhead, and, if you are really lucky you may see the odd Muntjac deer. Ross-On-Wye Golf Club welcomes visitors and societies.

Ross Golf Club are very active in all four categories of mens, ladies, seniors and juniors who all have a full playing calendar of club competitions, inter-club competitions and friendly matches. The Club prefers to operate a system where tee times need not be booked so members can turn up to play and be virtually assured of finding a game. They can always advise of the times that the various roll-up groups go off during the week and weekend and so introduce new members for a game with a friendly group.

The Club welcomes all membership enquiries and currently have vacancies in all categories, with no joining fee.