A big thank you must go to the eight men who played in this mixed event for the first time. It was a truly super competition, with a draw for partners, many new friendships being forged, with a love of golf uniting us all.

I think Sam Ackermann, who started this competition many years ago, would have been looking down on the camaraderie with delight. Anyway, he kept the rain off us and the sun shining.

His trophy is always played for as near to the longest day as possible, over 18 holes, starting at 4 pm. Seventeen pairs took part, and many thanks to Barbara Williams for volunteering to mark the card of the couple who had no playing partners.

Thanks also to Tim in the Pro Shop who sorted the cards and the random draw for a return of entry fees. Those lucky three pairs were our captain, Gethin Evans and Laura McQueen, Steve and Pam Cole, and Mike Fox and Marion Clarke.

There were only two 2s recorded; the first was on the sixth with the ball put on the green by John Gilman and in the hole by Helen Hughes; the second was on the 17th, this time on the green by Sarah Waring and in the hole by Thomas Watkins. They all received a sleeve of balls each.

The gusty wind made scoring tricky, but as always there were some good results. Just missing out on the prizes on countback were Georgina Ormond and Chris Smith with 36 points. In third place, also with 36 points, were Steve and Pam Cole. With 22 points on the back nine, and also with 36 points, in second place were Roger Schooling and Anna Hubbard. But the winners of the Sam Ackermann Trophy for 2016 with 37 points were John Gilman and Helen Hughes.

John thanked all those who had organised the event, his partner for her excellent play, and their playing partners for the competitive element of their game.

Finally, thanks to Laura for her help with the cards, to our lady captain for her encouragement to get new men to enter, and to Lee and his team for keeping us all fed and watered so well.

Time now to sign up to help with the PGA Championship starting on July 5, Captain’s Day on July 9 (both in the clubhouse), and the Mixed Usher Cup (on the computer).

H.K.M.