The annual New Year's Day Texas Scramble, one of the most popular events at Tidworth Garrison GC, was called off because of the storm which had been forecast.

Although the course would have shrugged off the wind driven rain, the members were, not unsurprisingly, more than reticent.

Club vice-captain Mike Cripps came up with the idea of rescheduling the competition to celebrate Chinese New Year on January 31 and 70 Tidworth members and staff, in drawn teams of five, set off to scramble the course in an attempt to beat the poorer weather expected later.

After 12 holes, the weather started to turn, with the wind getting stronger and the rain heavier and being a shotgun start, the teams finished at about the same time, so everyone was equally wet and appreciated the warmth of the clubhouse and a hot bowl of soup.

The winning team owed victory to its performance on the sixth hole par five, where assistant professional Matt Miles selected Ann Wycherley's drive, hit the second shot 280 yards to the green and then eagled the hole with a 40 foot putt.

Results: 1st: Mike Carey, Ann Wycherley, Matt Miles, Charles Lyon-Dean and Ray Tilling.

2nd: Frank Davies, Martin Shadwell, Jim Mar-Gerrison, Trish Manuel and Brian Bosley.

3rd: Mike Creedy, Brian Hutchins, Dennis Waites, Ian Cleife and Angela Goodheart (not shown).

Nearest the pin: 2nd hole Dan Grove, 5th David Manuel, 11th Paul Neave and 13th Ken Howell.