It has been a long Baltic winter and three tortuous months since I last swung a club, but this week saw the start of the 2013 Press Golfing Society season with the curtain-raiser at the magnificent Worplesdon golf club.  With Arctic conditions and 40mph gales, it was supposed to see us dust off the cobwebs – not de-ice them!

Topping the list of winners were Daily Mirror reporter James Nursey (div 1) and Colin Hancock of CNN Golf (div 2). Colin was the overall winner, net 72, and winner the Lord Riddell Memorial Trophy. The top 16 qualifying for the Emsley Carr knock out.

This year I’m pleased to welcome a number of new members to the society from across the media industry who join our party of intrepid journalists blasting their way around uncharted territory in search of silverware and decent wine. What an incredible honour it is to captain such a distinguished society, now in it’s 109^th year, where golf records are set, friendships are forged and champagne-swilling memories made.

Happy golfing!