By Dave Bruce

I think so many Axe Cliff golfers wanted to walk off their Christmas puddings that they turned out in their droves on New Year's Eve. The car park was jammed full probably because Axe Cliff was most likely to be the only local course open after Thursday's downpour.

Even I was not able to get a buggy as our course was still too wet for buggies, but I was brave enough to walk round in our final Stableford deciding the winner of the Brian Wilkes Trophy. I was delighted to be able to play with Oman's favourite golfer, Paul Hilder, and Mark Wisby.

Paul, now a teacher at Woodroffe School, hadn't played for a while due to work commitments so he enjoyed his free time and played very well or, at least for most of the round as he had to leave early

after15 holes so we could not total his score. I very much enjoyed my 15,133 steps on my Profit, being a Christmas present from my son James. We are still checking the rest of the 30 cards to ascertain the overall winner - watch this space. Once back in the clubhouse we were all treated to sandwiches, cake and chips with a drink being a thank-you from Clare, our excellent manager of the catering team for a few years now. She will keep in touch and help out when she can. She will be surely missed but we wish her well and our Seniors captain, John Hanna, was able to give her a cash donation. I believe she will be starting her new role for The Cats Protection Society in Sidmouth shortly. Their gain is our loss. The Men's Section had a busy weekend with the Hangover Cup held on New Year's Day with the biggest hangovers going to the Burraston family with Brad winning with +2 from Ian on -2. Mark Hubbard did well to take third spot with another -2. They also had a good turnout on Sunday for their first Medal of the Year with Seaton's top Postie, Paul Clode, taking Division One with a net 72 from Nathan Maddocks and Ian Burraston, also on net 72s, but losing out out on countback. Division Two players found the going tough with Paul Hankin taking the honours with a net 75 from Ben Libby on net 76. Simon Sweetland took third spot with a 78. Happy New Year to everyone.