Winter conditions don’t daunt Horsham Seniors
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the promise of spring and summer golf to come.
Meanwhile Horsham Seniors have been braving the winter weather to play a Stableford Qualifier competition in the more challenging conditions.
It’s not just the ground underfoot that can pose problems, it’s also the layers of clothing to keep warm and dry that sometimes restricts movement in the swing. Taking into account that the soggy fairways reduce the running of the golf ball, and the cold air affects its compression so that it loses distance, it’s safe to say that winter golf is very different from playing in the other seasons.
Most golfers can expect to lose 20 to 30 yards off the tee in the winter and across the 18 holes it’s not unusual for scores to be higher in the chilly months even when more forgiving winter rules are applied.
Horsham Seniors however deserve commendation for achieving some excellent results over the two days. A special mention has to go to the winner on Tuesday, Tim Richards, who not only came in with 37 points he managed to get the nearest the pin prize and another for a birdie on a par three hole.
Hot on his heels and all scoring 36 points, so that second, third and fourth places had to be decided on countback, were Peter Scofield, Peter Bayles and Lawrence Hughes. The Wednesday players were no less deserving of a round of applause with John Lawrence in first place on 36 points receiving his prize from James Barclay, the Seniors Captain.
Alan Butt was second with 35 points, Nairon Khan and Trevor White took third and fourth prizes both scoring 34 points, Nairon beating Trevor on countback. Horsham Seniors continue to enjoy competitive golf during the winter season adjusting their expectations and targets as necessary, as well as taking pleasure in the fresh air and the camaraderie.