Spring is peering at us over the horizon and debating whether or not to bother turning up at all, although the recent signs have been encouraging, even providing some occasional sunshine for desperate golfers. My approach to the protracted iffy weather during February is to have arranged a few days in some mediterranean warmth, returning to the UK on the first day of Spring (21st) - just in time for the fun of the St Patrick's Scramble on the 22nd. I can still be contacted by email or WhatsApp of course so anyone who feels the need can message me that way. There will be two or three days when both vice captain Steve Morgan and I are not around - we've chosen the dates carefully and there shouldn't be any need for the physical presence of a captain figure but if there is, Ally Munro or Alan Stokes (both past captains of some renown) will stand in.

I know that my loyal readers(!) will be keen to hear when - exactly - the Captains' Bunker (18th, greenside) will be in play for donations to our charity - Cancer Research UK. Trish and I think it would be a good idea if the first day was the St Patrick's Scramble - it will be interesting to see if any of the teams manages to get all four balls in there! There will be a sign next to the bunker reminding you all of the £1 forfeit for landing in it. I even (very briefly) thought about making it £2 for anyone who took more than one shot to get out but I don't think I could take the deserved abuse for adding insult to injury for irritated and knackered golfers. On the same day the birdie/eagle/albatross (ho!ho!) book and bottle will appear on the bar - so, if you hole your third (or even second, you big hitters) shot for a birdie or eagle straight from the bunker on the 18th it will cost you a couple of quid for the pleasure......we'll run both till the end of October and we look forward to your enthusiastic participation! Don't forget, there will be a draw at the end of October into which your name will go if it appears in the birdie book.

In an earlier BLOG I mentioned the need for us all to care for our fabulous golf course and I'm sure the greens staff are grateful for all the efforts we make in that direction. I am, though, still finding plenty of divots to fill in on the fairways and pitch marks to repair on the greens, so some of our members aren't quite doing as much as they could. Another small bugbear of mine is slow play. There are a few ways in which you can speed up the pace of play without having to rush. For example, always have in mind where you're going next after you've finished on the green. A simple thing like having to go back for your clubs rather than leaving them somewhere near the route to the next tee adds to the time taken. Also, it does surprise me a little how many golfers aren't ready to play when it's their turn. If you watch the others in your group hit their tee shots and only then go to your bag for your driver, you're adding extra time to your round - and, by extension, to other people's rounds too. All it takes is a bit of thought and everyone would benefit. Also, if you have the honour, mark your card after you've driven, while the others are taking their drives. Three simple things that could help with the speed of play.

There are still a few spaces left on the sign-up sheets for this season's club matches. We've been very encouraged by the response so far - looking forward to plenty of Highwoods victories this year. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy plenty of chances to get out on to the course and I wish you all the best for the forthcoming season!

Denis D