Well it’s nearly 7.30am and time to begin the defence of my title. (Will be happy to make the buffer zone.) Playing with my nephew Billy and Ian Fell (13) from Mortonhall Golf Club we set off, bang on time.

Conditions were as good as you would wish for, but unfortunately my opening drive was a big draw into the trees on the left. Unable to play towards the green I knocked out to the fairway and chipped close enough to make my par. At the second hole I was not so fortunate as I once again missed the fairway to the left and could only watch in amazement as my pitch failed to bounce forward as expected, and stopped just short of the downhill slope towards the pin, from where I three putted, ouch! Over the seven remaining holes I dropped only one stroke, at the 4th, and birdied the 9th for a one over par 36. My inward half was a complete disaster as I carded bogies at the 10th, 13th, 15th and 16th before managing a double bogey at the par four 17th after hitting my drive into an unplayable lie. However, my gross 76 won the Scratch Prize (£50) in my age group, while my net 69 saw me finish in 6th spot overall, not too shabby.  The greens were the fastest I have putted on this year and the facilities and service were their usual high standard. This is a must play course, so telephone 0131 335 0069 (Option 1) or e-mail secretary@rathoparkgolfclub.co.uk , and do it soon.