Day 298 - Christmas Foursomes

Another day, another day of foursomes golf... it's that time of year!  On this occasion, I was playing with my lady wife, alongside Dawn and John, in the Burhill Mixed Christmas Foursomes competition. We all turned up at the Club for an 11:00 tee off, in Shotgun format. The instructions were clear and the vast majority of players adhered: festive gear was required!

Kathryn and I got into the spirit with red, white and green outfits, trolleys decorated with tinsel and in my case a ludicrous Xmas hat compete with annoying music and a battery operated wiggle... all of which soon got jettisoned once the golf started...

That being said, our golf wasn't any great shakes so maybe i would have done better to keep the silly hat on!  We had to wait until the 5th hole before our visit from Santa Tony, resplendent in his new costume. He was a most welcome sight as he was bearing mulled wine and mince pies, both very welcome on a damp, if not cold, December day.

We had a fun round, even though we were pretty confident early on that we wouldn't be apearing on the list of winners.  Once the cards came in, it was clear that we far from being the only ones who had found the conditions far from easy. The combination of the format, and the lack of any form of roll on the fairways and slower than normal greens meant that there were many pairs who had played well below their handicaps.

Marta led the singing with great gusto!

Once everyone was suited and booted, we all migrated to the lounge for a cup of tea and some (a few...) sandwiches, served with a piece of Christmas cake.  Then followed the prize giving - the last such time that I shall be carrying out such duties with Diana, the Lady Captain.  A shame: I have really enjoyed the Mixed and Social events this past year.

There then followed a session of songs and carols by a local Twickenham choir: they are called Offbeat.  Their leader was a lady called Marta who was wonderfully spirited and enthusuastic: she and her choir hit the right note, at every level.  Their selection of a capella numbers mixed well with the traditional carols where everyone joined in. We shall definitely invite them back next year!

One tree, duly dressed

The turnout was excellent with the 90+ golfer crowd well supplemented by those who came along for the concert. Great fun: and a splendid way to herald in the Christmas season and to sign off the social golf season at the Club.

Back home in the evening, we carried on as it was time to dress the tree. Both children cam home for the occasion and, as ever, it was wonderful digging out the old ornaments and memories and remembering where the had come from.  Only 12 days to go...