A glorious morning of warm winter sunshine greeted the competitors for the second round of the Winter Stableford Eclectic competition at The Rolls of Monmouth on Sunday 17th February.

After seemingly months of depressing weather, the course came alive to the sound of happy golfers playing what is arguably the best golf course in Monmouthshire.

Considering the rusty nature of most of the golf swings, there were some notable scores. Young George Farrington achieved a stunning second victory in less than six months with a 37-point Stableford total, fully justifying the confidence in his potential expressed by The Rolls of Monmouth golf professional, Simon Aston.

Commercial vehicle specialist and current sponsor of struggling Newport Gwent Dragons, David Spear, put his rugby woes behind him with a solid level par round of 36 points to snatch second place ahead of Geoff Walsh (35 points), who briefly emerged from winter hibernation to take advantage of the sunshine.

The first round of the Winter Stableford Eclectic competition, played in less ideal conditions on 3rd February, saw three golfers top the leader board, all with 35 points.

Count back gave outright victory to a resurgent father Trev Curphey, with Nigel James edging ahead of current birdie two specialist and former flying ace, Al Muir.

The competition itself took back stage to the announcement of the 60th birthday of long serving club steward Stuart Aimes.

Known to friends and members as Stuart and to visitors as Steward, which he considers to be over familiar, he has long been the life and soul of the club house at The Rolls and is always on hand to guide new members and to provide heart-warming cheer on cold winter days.

A Herefordian, Stuart is always keen to share his in-depth and impartial knowledge of all things Welsh, particularly Welsh rugby, with the membership and his views are much welcomed and appreciated.

Stuart is being whisked away to Turkey for a well-earned week of birthday R & R before returning for what promises to be a great year at The Rolls.

All at the club offered congratulations on his achieving this milestone.