The result was that 24 players turned out, although only one guest made an appearance on this glorious day, which was perhaps our reward for suffering the long damp winter and spring. The range of scores showed the effects of a long lay-off for many members as well as unfamiliarity with hard ground and fast greens - unknown all winter.
The morning singles were won by Martin Abbott (Mitsui-Busan) with 38 points which brings him both the Silver Challenge Trophy and the Directors' Cup, in which Edward Sawbridge (Natixis) scored 36.
The runner-up was James Haines (AMT) with 37 points who also won the Carr Sargant Competition for Category 1 and 2 members. We are looking forward to seeing James on the course again wearing his new look golf trousers awarded by Captain Ashok Singhania, who hosted the day and thanks go to him for his hospitality and generosity.
Dominic Boyle shot a gross 83 to take the Scratch Prize.
The Captains' Cup was won by Alex Heath by a very wide margin with 36 points.
The King Cup for handicaps 24 and over was won by Vice Captain Yang Liu with 32 points.
The Guest Prize went to Paul Dicker, Paul Shuter's guest and the two other prizes went to Colin Griffith (Billiton) for Nearest the Pin, while once again James Haines took Longest Drive with what looked roughly like a monster 320 yard hit.
The afternoon rounds were played over 9 holes.
The Charles Davis Salver foursomes was won in a tight finish by Traderight Limited (Seamus O'Connell and Steven Spencer) with 19 points from James Haines and Steven Smith (AMT) with 18 points.
The normal format of greensomes had to be changed owing to two players unable to play in the afternoon. In the resulting threeball and fourball combined score competition, Alex Heath, Martin Abbott and Colin Griffiths triumphed over Captain Ashok Singhania, Vice Captain Yang Liu and Dominic Boyle.