It just kept on raining ... but golf's Christmas Cup was still played

With the best two Stableford scores counting on each hole, it was vice-captain Martin Lumbard, a proud new grandad of twins, who led Graham Lafferty, Neil Eldridge and Gerard Weide to victory with an impressive 89 points.

Kim Francis, Stuart Sandell, Mark Wilkinson and Adrian Smale took second place with 86 while the four groups behind them all carded 85.

John Harvie, David Oldham, Graham Hill and Richard Wild took third place thanks to their back nine of 46; Chris McGrath, Lewis Agnew, Greg Laming and Joe Hicks were fourth; Ewan Duff, Ben Beard, Gerry Bradley and Mark Beard fifth and Lorcan Conneely, Sean Flaherty, Michael Snee and John Badillo sixth.

Earlier, the ladies contested their own Christmas Cup and although there was no fancy dress or lunch this year bonus points were on offer to provide some added fun.

Extra points were awarded on the par threes for tee shots that finished on the green and there were double points up for grabs on three ‘hidden’ holes – the 2nd, 10th and 17th.

Soft conditions underfoot made good scoring difficult but the ever-reliable Mina Burton, playing off 13, showed her quality to claim the cup with 36 points.

Joint runners-up with 31 were Margaret Brown and Meriel Jolley.

Clubhouse restrictions and social distancing have made prize presentations difficult in recent months but captain Chris McGrath was finally able to award Adrian Smale with his special top for winning the club’s Masters event in June.