THE new season began at Gosfield Lake Golf Club when the incoming captain Ernie Cable hit the traditional first drive in front of club members.

The traditional full English Champagne breakfast, served earlier in the day by the four previous captains, did not affect the drive that landed to the right of the fairway.

The new junior captain Harry Rayner followed the club captain with his drive that was more youthful and less stressful.

Last year’s captain Jeremy Paterson putted out in two putts from the long downhill spot selected by Cable to the delight of club and family onlookers.

Club members toasted the captain with refreshments provided by him and the Drive-In sweepstake raised the first £130 for Farleigh Hospice, which is this year’s choice by Cable for his captain’s charity.

Cable joined the club president Tony Rowe, chairman Mike O’Shea and competition chairman John Barrick in the first fourball of the new season meet competition.

Vice-captain Graham Hurrell watched over the proceedings from dawn to dusk nursing a broken ankle.

RESULTS: New season meet: 1 Andrew W Gowers 40pts, 2 Chris Gliddon 39pts, 3 Rob Murray 39pts; Nearest the pin morning: David Turner; afternoon: Chris Gliddon.