IT was out with the old and in with the new on New Year’s Day when Ludlow Golf Club members turned out in force to welcome their new captains.

Following an early morning champagne reception in the c l u b h o u s e, a hu g e c rowd of members and well wishers followed the captains to the first tee.

After waiting weeks for the snow and frost to clear from the course, there was great excitement at the prospect of playing golf and the mood was a merry one.

Each of the outgoing captains a n d p re s i d e n t d rove ou t o f office, eagerly followed by their replacements, cheered on by the surrounding throng.

First to drive in was this year’s club captain Ian Cade.

Next was the new president John Smallman who was himself captain a few years ago.

This year’s junior captain is Harry Lines, a promising young golfer who is currently studying f o r h i s A - l e ve l s a t He re f o rd Sixth Form College.

Last but not least was the new ladies' captain Rosie Cox.

Following the drive-In, members took part in the shotgun start Betterball Stableford competition to play for the prestigious Massachusetts Cup.

There was very little wind and temperatures were above freezing for the first time in many weeks. The course had held up well after having been covered with snow for such a long time.

Proving that the course was in good order by scoring a huge score of 44 points off ¾ handicap was the pair of past presidents, Mike Gardiner and Tris Clare, who accepted the cup from new captain Cade in front of a packed clubhouse.

Just pipped into second place with 43 points was the singlefigure handicap pair of Mick Corfield and Andy Dixon.

Just behind them were the present ladies' club champion Anna Smith and a past club champion, her husband Neill Smith.

● JEZ Duffield and Glen Tram scored 42 points when Cleobury Mortimer held their Men’s Betterball competition in the New Year.

They pipped Dave Brelsforth and Mark Humphreys on countback to lift the first trophy of the year.

After the sudden thaw, which removed six inches of snow in the period between Christmas and New Year, the competition attracted 25 teams to come along and take part in the competition, which involved no temporary greens.