" In an age of confusion, chaos, calamities, and crisis, isn't it nice to be able to report on a nice gentle game of golf in idyllic Leicestershire countryside, followed by a wholesome lunch of beef and ale pie and good natured chat without any political jokes or allusions. Well it would be, but this is the Stags and their Autumn Away day which took place at Cosby Golf Club. Confusion reigned when, after two late drop outs, certain Stags decided to change their tee times, Chaos reigned when the longest drive marker had not been put out on the ninth tee, Calamities occurred when one Irish member lost 7 balls, I presume not on one hole, and Crisis occurred when Ron had to wait on the group ahead. But at least there were no political jokes, even the Stags know the situation is too serious for that!!

As usual it did not rain in spite of curmudgeonly forecasts by individual Stags and there were no mobile phone call on the course, heaven forfend, and the traffic was remarkably light on the eastern by-pass and all we got there on time. (I was transported by a jet propelled Mercedes so was considerably early)

The bacon rolls and coffee were good, the course was leafy, but in good nick and the greens very fast. Cosby is an interesting course with only three Par threes, two of which are very long, only two Par Fives and the rest tricky par Fours. A challenge to most Stags, a severe challenge to some Stags. By the way, the big news is that Bandit Bill is back, finalist in the summer pairs and summer singles (do you mean they haven't been completed yet!!) and a good score at Cosby. I wonder how many qualifiers he has played this year ( answers on a postcard!).

We were blessed with three guests, Mark Brown ,former occupier of the pro shop, Charles McTear, the bard and former Captain, and Chris Langbridge , surrogate son of Ron and hard working member of the fiddle!
Scores were very average with a best of 37 points. The presentation after the lunch was made by our captain David Gibbs.

A word about the nearest the pin. No marker was out but a magnificent shot of 189 yards to within two feet of the pin with a driver by Mick Jephcott had to be acknowledged and he had to be rewarded with a prize and a two! And as there was no longest drive , this became the most arduous round and this prize was deservedly won by John Woodward.

Onward and upward (in golf, of course)

Scores as follows: