Everyone is only too aware of the high rainfall totals through most of December and into early January. Pannal GC Course Manager Neil Horton had now reported the full year figures for 2023 when 1024mm of rain were recorded: this compares with 753mm in 2022 and 768mm in 2021, an average increase over the two prior years of no less than 35%.

Rainfall records across the district continued to be broken throughout December causing regular closures of all golf courses to the frustration of players.

It has been a very frustrating period for all golfers in the district over the past few weeks. Pannal Course Manager Neil Horton keeps a detailed record of monthly rainfall on the course: in the whole of 2021 he recorded 768mm, 2022 saw a similar figure of 753mm but in 2023 up to the end of November the total is 860mm.

After contending with rain and heavy ground for the last few weeks, members faced another typical winter scene on Saturday December 2nd with a sharp frost, temporary greens and a 16 hole layout.

With the continuing weather problems the only competitive golf possible at Pannal in recent days was on Saturday November 25th.

Pannal Golf Club’s Course Manager Neil Horton, in his weekly report to members, expressed his frustration with the continuing wet weather.

With Winter Golf now the order of the day, on Tuesday November 7th the ladies played a Tri-Am team event. The scoring format was one score to count holes 1- 4, two to count holes 5,6,7 & 13 and all three players scores to count holes 14 – 18.

While heavy rain across the district all week saw very little golf due to course closures, Pannal members were able to enjoy a Dubai Stableford over 13 holes on Saturday November 4th. Played in teams of four, the scoring system was two players to score on the first four holes, three on the next four and all four on the final five holes.

On Tuesday October 24th Ladies’ Captain Clare Davies hosted her Captain’s Charity Day raising a fantastic £1587 for vital research into breast and prostate cancer via a donation to Cancer Research UK.

The third stage of the club’s comprehensive drainage programme has been successfully completed over the last 7 days which coupled with green reseeding and fairway verti-draining will ensure the course is well prepared for the winter season with maximum playability during wet periods.

There was a unique event at Pannal last Wednesday 4th October, when the club hosted the annual friendly match versus Yorkshire County Cricket Club. For the first time it became a mixed fixture, with several of Yorkshire’s Diamonds Ladies cricket team combining with former Yorkshire cricketers to face a mixed team from Pannal.

Monday September 18th saw an exciting 36-hole duel in the Men’s Handicap Trophy Final between Roger Emmett and David Smith. Begun back in April this individual knockout matchplay competition is a perennial favourite with the final being the 127th match of the series, won two up by Roger.

While the ladies did not play a competition at Pannal they had an enjoyable Exchange Day at Ilkley on Tuesday September 12th, won by the team of Ruth Skaife-Clarke, Val Smith-Jackman, Gerry Callendar and Alison Stratford.