The clock was turned back when Kevin Smith drove in as the new captain at Braintree Golf Club.

In front of more than 100 members, Smith struck his drive 164 yards with a hickory driver and replica ball for his ceremonial first shot and surprised himself with how well it went.

“It was one of the finest drives I’ve ever hit,” he said.

“I don’t know where it came from but I absolutely nailed it.

“It was something of a surprise as I’d hit a dozen practise shots with the driver a couple of days before, topped about eight and viciously sliced the others no more than 80 yards.

“The theme for the day was a reflection of the start of the club’s 125th anniversary year, hence the dress code circa 1891.

“The hickory-shafted driver, which dates back to 1902, and the replica ball were both kindly loaned by South of England Hickory Golf.”

Prior to the Drive-in, 104 players competed in the annual betterball pairs matchplay competition with vice-captain Brian Day’s team gaining a resounding victory over the new captain’s.

Smith added: “Best of all, we raised almost £1,000 for my charity PARC, the Play and Resource Centre based in Braintree.”

n GARY Ayling won the Monthly Bogey competition at Colne Valley Golf Club. His score of +3 took the win, with Steve Taylor second on +2 and Steve Willingham third with a score of 0.

The ladies’ stableford resulted in a win for Sue Petchey on 29 points with Celia Larkham second with 24, while the men’s stableford was won by Ken Poulter with 36 points from Brian Swan with 29.

In the ladies’ Winter League round five, there was a win for Megan Ball with 17 points from Sue Gilbert taking second on countback from Jan Eves after both finished with 15.