COMPETITION was fierce as Maldon Golf Club hosted two Whisky Trot competitions.

A small field competed on the Saturday due to the very foggy conditions but more than 50 competitors battled it out, the following day.

There were more than 20 prizes up for grabs, the collection being swelled by the generous donation of bottles from a number of Committee members.

The main Sunday singles stableford event was won by Ian Beard (25), with 43 points.

Paul Shires (20) was second with 41 points while Ben Griffiths (13) was third on countback ahead of Peter Harper (14), who also scored 38 points.

Martin Read (14) secured fifth place on countback with 37 points from Mick Orrin (15).

In total, the top-13 places were awarded prizes, along with the halfway house prize which went to Ted Ellis and the 'Best Dressed Golfer' prize, which was won by Steve Gearey.

In the nearest the pin or longest drive prizes, Elliot Hawkins fired the winning tee shot on the par-three fifth/14th hole.

John Abbott took the spoils for nearest the pin on the long par-three eighth hole.

The prize for closest second shot to the par four sixth/15th went to Alan Buckingham while Mick Orrin won the equivalent prize on the par four ninth/18th.

The prize for the drive finishing nearest the ditch and on the fairway on the seventh/16th hole went to Leon Griffiths.

The Saturday Whisky Trot was won by Nick Shakespeare with 32 points.

More than 1,600 tickets were sold for the Christmas prize draw, for which past-captain Jim Culleton and his helpers had arranged a stunning array of Christmas-themed prizes.

Maldon GC's ladies hosted their annual Christmas lunch, where lady captain Mary King invited club captain Paul Holland and past captain Jim Culleton and his wife Maggs to join them.

A very enjoyable time was had by all with a delicious lunch provided by club caterer Linda Hamilton.

A raffle, held in aid of the Royal Voluntary Service, was also very successful.

Maldon GC's seniors held their Christmas lunch event, where immediate past seniors' captain Eric Bane presented a cheque for £700 to Essex Air Ambulance's Roger Smith.

There was a very good turnout of golfers for Maldon GC's Christmas Cup, which was delayed due to thick fog.

The eventual winner was the ever-consistent Dave Butcher with 39 points, ahead of Mark Scott who was second with 36 points.

The nearest the pin prize on the fifth/14th went to guest Nick Reece-Ford.

The prize for the closest second shot on seventh/16th went to another guest, Nick's son and head greenkeeper Stuart Reece-Ford.