IT is that time of year when the “Golf Calendar” gets underway but it is also the time of year when finger nails are at their shortest, none more so than with this year’s Rabbits Captain, Paul Aldred.

With the course covered in snow on the Thursday morning before Saturday, and Ripon virtually cut off from the rest of the world, it was not looking too promising for the Hop-in.

But, we should not forget, we are talking Masham golf course and so by Thursday afternoon golf had resumed and those out on the fairways were treated to dry fairways and dry-ish greens and by Saturday, the course was in first class condition, all ready for Paul’s Hop-In.

Play commenced at 13:00hrs, with teams of four stepping out onto the tees in full anticipation of a good afternoon’s golf. The weather forecast was suggesting a nine hole completion with the Rugby to follow and so it was, as the final rabbit disappeared into the club house after the game that the heavens opened, thus vindicating Paul’s decision to only playing nine holes.

It is always said at Masham, playing 18 holes is a game of two halves, a good front nine not always followed by a good back nine. So, only playing nine holes proved a prize winning formula for one stalwart Rabbit, Andy Kitching, coming home with a splendid 24 points to take the Hop-in trophy as well as a fine bottle of whisky. The top Tiger’s spot was taken by young (13yrs) Sam Elsworth, with 23pts, although his winning prize bottle of wine was soon being looked after by his grandad, Tommy Rhodes!

In fact, as it turned out, it was a “good” day for Sam or at least his grandad, all round. Not only did Sam take the Tiger’s prize, he was in the prize winning team that included his grandad, Tommy Rhodes, “Jockey” Beckett and Pete Wetherill, (bottles of wine all round) and then to finish off, Sam, (grandad) won four bottles of beer in the raffle!!! It was to be hoped that grandad gave Sam a good price for his efforts.

One small mention for the latest recruit to the “herd”, “colony” or “warren” of rabbits at Masham, is for Mike Hoyes who came in with 22pts to take second place, welcome and well done Mike.

Thanks must go to all those who helped make the afternoon a special one for Paul, not least, Liz, Paul’s partner, who laid on an excellent halfway house.

Other prizes included, Barry Stead for nearest the pin on the 2nd hole and that man again, Tommy Rhodes, nearest the pin on the 8th hole.

One last message from Paul, anybody interested in playing for the Rabbits this year, (16 handicap and above) please contact Paul or the Club through the office.

Mixed Section. Sunday 11th March. March Mixed Competition

A lovely fine day saw short sleeves as the norm for most of the players, and like the day before, some very good scores were the order of the day. With teams of four,

taking the top place with a very good 100 point score (par was 90, two to score on the “even” holes and three on the “odd” holes) were Pam and Keith Brown with Jackie Thirsk and Tony Roebuck. In second place were Alison Sayer, Barry Stead, Sue and Alec Whitehead with 94pts.

Alec and Sue, the organisers, thanked Pam for a lovely meal and Kevin for providing sustenance from behind the bar.