The ever-popular Tree Trophy is the first competition of the new golfing season, and attracted a large field of 45 Ladies.

This year, the Stableford was a non-qualifying competition, because the par-five 7th hole had been shortened due to the recent heavy rain saturating its fairway. As a result, the Ladies’ tee had been brought forward, but still had a par of five, and seven players took advantage of this to score a birdie, while two players, Corinne Durbin and Lin Papadopoullos, scored an eagle-three each.

In total, thirteen birdies were scored over a variety of holes; the most in a competition for many a year. Two-spot birdies were scored by Carol King (5th hole) June Symonds (10th) and Christine Jukes (15th).

Despite this surfeit, most players found it difficult to score highly and consistently; only three players scored over 37 points. Pauline Young took third place with 38 points, one behind second-placed Christine Jukes. The first winner of the new season, with a terrific score of 42 points, especially given the wet conditions, was Corinne Durbin.

Jane Ball