XMas fun and games at Ufford Park

In temperatures of minus two degrees on a sunny Christmas Day morning, only the brave got out of their cosy beds and faced the harsh conditions with ice and snow still on parts of Uffod Park the golf course near Woodbridge, Suffolk.

For the last 17 years golfers have been braving the weather on Christmas morning at the Best Western venue and this year was probably more challenging than most thanks to Mother Nature.

The field of twenty two, comprising members, residents staying at the Hotel, and visitors staying for lunch, set out soon after 9am for the nine hole individual stableford competition. 

This top winter course was playable on extended greens with the main greens still frozen over – even the bunkers were frozen over.

Pluck and spirit as well as skill were all required then and the outright winner with a score of 21points being Ufford Park member Barry Heaney followed by another member John Pope with a score of 16points. 

Best lady was a Hotel guest Val Heaver, scoring 11points whose husband scooped the best overall hotel guest prize with 15points.

After the prizegiving Father Christmas arrived, driving his festive buggy across the course. He was later joined by his elves who helped him give out presents to guests staying for lunch.