The wet, windy weather of December continues to bring havoc across Somerset and to the county’s golfers who would like to get into the fresh air to play their favourite game.

The Farrington Park Women’s Section brought some seasonal cheer to the “shortest” day of the year by playing a Greensomes Matchplay competition, “the Santas versus the Elves” on the Duchy course. The match was shortened to thirteen holes because there was a forecast of bad weather, which proved to be accurate but it did not arrive until everyone was safely in the clubhouse.

Various states of fancy dress were on display depending on whether the wearer was in the Santas “red” team or the Elves “green” team and the players made a cheerful splash of colour against the background winter vegetation colours of brown, yellow and green.

Last year, the Santas had won so the Elves were out for revenge. The first game went to the Elves but the Santas hit back by winning the next two. The fourth match was drawn and the remaining two matches were won by the Elves.

Everyone returned to the clubhouse for hot drinks and delicious mince pies before Captain Jackie Willcox announced that the Elves had won by 3.5 points to 2.5 points. The winning team received plenty of chocolates but their winnings were shared amongst all and everyone went home with a “Christmas glow” from the bonhomie enjoyed throughout the day.

Jane Ball