Having been delayed by gales in December and snow the previous week, Santa finally arrived at Teignmouth last Wednesday so that the ladies could play for Santa’s Prize, writes Jenny Mitchell. 

The Lady Captain, Max Anderson, and her elf helper, Mandy Hall, came up with a fun ‘roll the dice’ nine-hole competition for the teams of four with prizes guaranteed for all players. 

The format was a Texas Scramble but, after all the team had taken their drives, they had to roll the giant dice to determine which ball was played next – a one, two, three or four, then that numbered player’s ball was taken, a five and the team could choose which of the drives was taken and a six the team had to select a player to drive again and use that ball.

Once the correct ball was identified, its position was marked and the other three players played their ball from that spot. The best-placed ball was then selected for the next stroke with the other three players playing. This continued until the ball was holed. 

A ‘Nearest the Santa’ on the first fairway and ‘Nearest the Snowman’ on the ninth provided additional challenges and prize opportunities. 

A shotgun start at 9.30am meant all ladies experienced the early cold conditions and then arrived back in the clubhouse at a similar time to enjoy a warming soup prior to the prize-giving.

The top-three teams all received vouchers and thereafter all the players chose a prize from the beautifully presented prize table. Santa’s Late Delivery provided a fun end to Max’s year as Lady Captain.

Result:

1st - Nicky Dykes, Marie Mayne, Hannah Stephens, Natasha Waggett (nett 27); 2nd - Denise Bolt, Barbara Hanson, Terri Kennard, Anne Whitaker (nett 29); 3rd - Max Anderson, Jenny Mitchell, Irene Munday, Sally Tyler (nett 32).

Nearest Santa: Pat Boyne, Lesley Cunningham, Jill Gledhill, Deirdre Miles.

Nearest Snowman: Diane Helmore, Jackie Hibberd, Lin King, Doreen Languedoc.