RON Dent has replaced Nigel Popper as the new club captain at Five Lakes.

After the annual Turkey Trot competition, he took to the first tee on the Lakes course and drove 200 yards.

Dent started playing golf in New York and joined Pleasantville Golf Club, where he blotted his copybook straightaway by turning up a day late for his first competition.

On his return to the UK, he joined Braxted Park but eventually he was recruited into the senior section at Five Lakes.

He joined the seniors' committee in 2004, serving as captain five times.

Dent joined the main committee in 2011, initially as junior organiser - a post he and wife Julie held for the past six years.

Meanwhile, Five Lakes hosted their annual stableford competition, which is always popular with members as they play for turkey vouchers to be claimed from a local butcher.

Three players scored 37 points, to contend for fourth place.

They were Barry Smith, Rob Kilgour and Joe Hart (9), with the latter just nicking it with a better back six holes.

Third place went to Jeremy Barter (14) with 38 points and second to long-time clubhouse leader Pat McSweeney (13), with 41 points.

However, winning the largest turkey was Russell Smith (14), with 42 points.

The scratch prize was won by Phil Robson (7).

Nearest the pin on the par threes were Danny Murtagh, on the fourth, Dave Parkins, on the eighth, Barry Boniface on the 11th and Derek Monaghan on the 16th.

Birdie twos were won by Jeremy Barter and captain Dent on the 11th and Pat McSweeney and Peter Millar on the 16th.