Standing on the 10th tee with snow covered Mournes behind me and fearsome sand mountains ahead I realised that Duns (MPBUI) was really no match for the Royal County Down (PBUI) And today with a fearsome northern wind but bright sunshine RCD really has no match anywhere-except apparently Augusta rated No 1 in the World and here second. Despite the cold the course was open but the greenkeepers still abed, sensibly enough at 0820.

Not abed was stalker and his ball retrieveing Alsatian. Working their way through the gorse bushes to the right of the 6th on the Annesley Course (aka The Hen Run) I had avoided it as it was already swarming with the distaff lot hacking and coughing their way around a few holes on Ladies Day-The Masochistic Foursomes or some such. Stalker knew he was on to a good thing as these Amazonian hordes bore down on him leaving a trail of unreplaced divots and sliced Titlelists. He had just found a pristine couple of balls as I passed -I commented 'Gosh balls will be frozen' (he was lovingly fingering them with ungloved hands).

'Nothing that a warm bath won't cure' he replied.

I hope the Alsatian gets in as well


(The image is the 11th looking back. Where is the snow? Taken last year so you will just have to take my word for it)  ¶ 11:45 AM