This years Classic was played on the desolate, arctic wastes of Perton Park.

Temperatures struggled to reach zero all day, the ground was frozen and there were occasional snow flurries. The field of 35 was only kept going by the brandy inadvertently left on the 7^th tee by Steve Ryan's group!

Mats and temporary greens made life difficult especially as some of the mats were considerably further back than the normal yellow tees.

Even in these interesting conditions however, there were some impressive front nine scores from Martin Smith 18pts, Roy Davenport and David Stentiford 17pts.

New equipment was tried by a few people with varying success including Dave Cook (out of bounds twice at the first, much to the delight of the gallery in the Clubhouse, and three times at the eighth)

As the cards came in it was clear that off ¾ handicaps the winning score would be in the mid 30s and so it proved with winner Henry Beaumont recording an impressive 36 points off a handicap of 6 including 20pts on the back nine.

Second with 35pts was David Stentiford playing off 18. The fact he was well soused by the time he finished his round made this a quite remarkable achievement.

At the lower end a desperate battle was underway to avoid Norman with only count back separating Stephen Phillips, Steve Holden and Nigel Burgess.

However just when things were looking very bleak for young Phillips along, to save the day, was former Groundsman Supreme Les French with a heroic 18pts.

So until the Shropshire Classic in April Les's name will sit proudly on Norman.

Fish and chips were served at the Old Wulfs which Steward Phil Stanton (the fact he didn't play this year was noted) kindly opened early. This was followed by the usual 3 hour hapless snooker matches, the darts game for drunk players "nearest the board" and the annual attempt to drink all the port available.

The society's thanks go yet again to Steve Taylor who, despite spending most of his time in Luxembourg as a tax exile, organised another excellent event enjoyed by all. 

Footnote:
We are very lucky to have two excellent organisers in Steve Taylor and Steve Stanier but if we are to enjoy more events then we need others to get involved. If anyone would like to undertake organisation of an additional event, especially an autumn (October half term?) competition, please contact:

Steve Taylor
Tel: 00 352 091 88 52 58
E-mail: stephen_taylor@goodyear.com

or Steve Stanier
Tel:07793 122674
Email: stevestanier@aol.com

They will be pleased to assist.