Harpenden Golf Club’s incoming captain John Rhead’s wallet took a thrashing at the weekend when he hit a hole in one and then toasted his forthcoming year.

As is custom in golf, Rhead had to buy a celebratory round of drinks for everyone in the bar because of his ace at the 165-yard eighth - not that it helped him and his playing partner Peter Chapman beat PGA pro Peter Lane and outgoing captain David Oxley in a challenge match.

Later on the same day, he was formally elected captain of the club, and again, as is custom and in order to give a flying start to his year, the new captain offers a ‘glass of something’ to all attending the AGM.

It was a very good day for The Hospice of St Francis, which was the charity chosen by Oxley and the lady captain Liz Salvesen to benefit from the money raised throughout their year as captains. Sarah Ajder was delighted to accept a cheque for over £20,000 on behalf of the Hospice.