Friday, September 25, was the date for this very popular competition, with a full field of 18 pairs contesting the Chapman Foursomes tournament, with adjusted handicaps just to make it interesting.

As usual, the competitors benefited from the generosity of Tommy Hutton’s delightful widow, Marion. Not only is the handsome trophy donated by Marion, she also provides every player with a drink before lunch - did I mention that it is a very popular competition?

I should add that the atmosphere surrounding the tournament is always special, rivalry is evident, but the overall ambiance is one of camaraderie and good fellowship - everybody wants to win, but the main thrust seems to be just to enjoy the golf, which is exactly in the tradition of Tommy Hutton.

The conditions were almost ideal. September sunshine, coupled with a light breeze and a course in prime condition, set the scene for a spot of good scoring, and when the field assembled in the clubhouse post-match there was a buzz of apprehension as they waited for the computer to calculate who had put in he best performance.

Before the result was revealed, the players joined Marion in a pre-dinner tincture, and then Emma and Lauren served the tasty lunch that Lee had been preparing while we we were par-ing, birdy-ing, bogey-ing - and sometimes more! - out on the links.

When the last plate had been cleared, all eyes turned to the top table where ‘Big Al’ Watts, standing in for the Seniors captain, rose to announce the results. First he passed on the competitors thanks and congratulations on a job well done to the ground staff and the caterers, well deserved too. Next he thanked Marion on our behalf, for her continued support of this annual event, which elicited a round of sincere applause.

Finally, he revealed that the winning pair - with a score of 43 Stableford points - were Des Stone and Stan Hudson. In second place, scoring 42 points, were Allen Watts and Brian Jones.

Marion presented the Tommy Hutton Bowl to Des and Stan (see photograph) and told us how much she enjoyed coming to lunch with the golfers who competed for the trophy each year, and how she hoped to continue the appointment for many years to come. And that marked the conclusion of a really pleasant day’s golf - congratulations to the winners, commiserations to the also-rans and thanks again to Marion for making it all happen.

M.F.