WELCOME bright sunshine heralded the traditional captain’s drive-in on New Year’s Day at Cirencester Golf Club, and the event was very well attended by a large group of members fortified by mulled wine.

The four new captains — David Soar (club), Kate Dymoke (ladies), Keith Hodgson (seniors) and Harry Brown (juniors) — all celebrated their new roles by hitting drives off the first tee, where they were joined by club professional Ed Goodwin.

In no particular order the five drives measured 242 yards, 205, 159, 148 and 111. The aggregate distance of 865 yards proved popular for club member Andy Ponting who had correctly nominated that total distance in the sweep to claim the £100 prize. With 177 entries in the competition the remaining £77 will go to the captain’s chosen charity, the British Heart Foundation.

Other members started the New Year in style by winning raffle prizes, which included an expensive Scotty Cameron putter.