Having assessed the range over the last few weeks, despite the last few days of rain I anticipate it to be open this Saturday (28th Feb) so now's the time to make sure you are geared up for a good season's practice by checking the status of your pass. I will be emptying 1,800 new balls into it but still ask that any cracked balls you do come across be put into the bins provided rather than being re-hit or discarded under the conifers. May I remind players NOT to drive buggies onto the range so as to preserve the excellent condition of the astroturf.

I have now sent out Junior Academy flyers with the help of Shaun Carter whereby juniors between the ages of 10-13 can benefit by becoming a member gaining them access to free clinics, clothing, newsletters and reduced coaching prices. Please contact either myself or Shaun if you are interested.

Hole 7 - 167/128 yards (Par 3)

A short hole, well, this one isn't. Into the prevailing wind this par 3 can be a monster. The most obvious trouble is the pond short of the green however the whole thing is fraught with danger. There are really only two good 'misses' on this hole. The first being right of the green adjacent to the centre of it; from here you would leave yourself a straight forward pitch-and-run to most hole locations, however this means you have to carry the pond at its longest, never easy. The other is front left where there is a bit of a bail out, again leaving a relatively straight forward pitch, quite often a miss hit could end up here if luck was on your side. My advice to all levels of golfer, make sure you hit plenty of club because although long of the green is one of the hardest up-and-downs in the north west, at least your ball will be dry and in play!

Three gents tied for the lead in last week's Midweek Stableford. Winning on countback was Colin Cubley from Peter Brown and Magdy Taher after all three golfers finished with 27 points. There were no cards entered in the ladies event.

Saturday's Singles Stableford was played through all four seasons with a potential cancellation due to ice looming at one stage. Despite this we were still treated to some fine scores. In Division One, being protected by his Nike Hyperadapt jacket was Peter Vine as he brought home 40 points, two ahead of Dave Green in second and Steve Skupski in third. In Division Two Paul Jenkins put some recent form into practice winning with a 5 under score of 41 from John Reid with 39 and Frank Johnson topping a whole host of 36's to take third spot.

15 holes for the ladies on Tuesday as they played 1-14 and up the 18th as a Singles Stableford. In Division One Clare Palmer claimed top spot with 27 points from Ros Osborne and Sue Banks in second and third with 26. The same score of 27 saw Sandra Jones win Division Two from Ruth Walker (22) and Chris Lloyd (21). Ev Wilson pipped Hazel Ridge on a countback with 23 each in Division Three, one clear of Brenda Dooney in third. It was a similar story in Division Four where Syvia Comer edged out Rose Dhenin after a pair of 25's with Sue Jones in third with 23.