We now have eight juniors signed-up for the Academy which will kick off in April with a few comps, a putting clinic and our first ever Academy newsletter.

It was the seniors' Winter Stableford finale on Thursday. The winner on the day was Gary Lewis with 37 points with Colin Cubley in second with 34. The overall winter golfer of the year went to Rick Austin with 28 points in the aggregate table, runner-up to him was Gary Lewis.

Saturday was the last chance for the Blair Salver competitions to better their aggregate scores. John McNeill took top spot with 40 points from Simon Banks (38) and Rick Austin (36). The top eight qualifiers will shortly be decided and will then head into the knockout matchplay part of the competition,

In the Chris Kenrick Fergus Wilson triumphed with 41 from Dave Harmer in second (38) and Phil High taking third with the best of three 37s.

The ladies teed up for the St Patrick's Day team event with the format being a reverse wave. In first place with 72 points were Brenda Dooney, Marg Hetherington and Jackie Walker. This was good enough for a four point victory over runners-up Barbara Eyres, Bernie Jones and Kath Grainger. In third with 67 on countback were Hilary Sharpe, Kath Milligan and Chris Fisher.

Hole 10 - 431/354 yards (Par 4)

This hole (the old 14th) was always my bogey hole as an amateur. Again, as is the case with most holes, placement off the tee is key. Most people will be getting a shot here so let's not go for the hero second shot but instead play a strategic lay-up and make your score that way. Invariably the second shot will be with a long iron or wood, a club that on average will go where you want it to go 50% of the time whereas your lay up club, 6/7 iron will be more accurate. A decent pitch will still give you that par chance. One of the flattest greens on the course but don't let that fool you as this green has many subtle borrows.

The shop is now filling up. Not least the trolley section, we have Powakaddy's latest offering, the FW3 with a lithium battery, Motocaddy's space saving M1 PRO and the best selling push trolley on the market, the Motocaddy S1 Lite (only £99!!).

FootJoy apparel is back in the shop for the first time in a few years and there is some real top quality stuff on show. And of course the Nike range continues to grow in strength with the shoe and clothing range complementing the new hardware and bags brilliantly. Waterproof golf bags continue to get better and the latest offerings from Motocaddy, Titleist and Lynx are no exception, come and see for yourself.