AFTER the unusually mild Christmas the wet weather turned up with a vengeance for the New Year.

Many local golf clubs are either closed or have imposed restrictions on both visitors and members in recent weeks.

However, Burnham GC benefits from improved drainage systems put in by the greens staff over recent winters and is still open to both members and green fees.

As part of an initiative to encourage more people to take up the game the club has recently introduced a PM only membership that costs less than £10 a week – this allows those just starting to use the facilities and get as many holes in when the course is naturally quieter.

The popular winter only seven-day deal is also very attractive - often appealing to players from other clubs whose home club may be less accessible during the winter months.

If anybody is interested they should contact the office on 01621 782282.

The New Year’s Eve traditional “three clubs” competition was won by Dean Bewers with 37 points off a handicap of 10.

The New Year’s Day sweep saw wintry conditions keep the scores in check but the winner was Steve Hitchens with 36 points, off a handicap of 18.

The first weekend monthly stableford competition of the year saw division one (0-15 handicaps) won by Roger Miles (37 points) and the higher handicap division won by Dave Watson with a very good score in the conditions of 42 points.

Sunday saw the annual foursomes challenge for those in the winter league.

Foursomes is a pairs format where players take alternate shots and tends to be a stern test of golf for a variety of reasons.

This is also the first “board” competition of the year so an opportunity for a pair to get their names on the wall for posterity.

The 2016 winners of the Len Turner Rose Bowl with 40 points were Anthony Wilkin and James Marchant. They narrowly pipped Tony Swanborough and Mick Pratt into second place on countback.