FOUR Farrington members celebrated holes in one in recent weeks and Adrian Raikes has created history by being the first player to par the 17th hole in a competition.

The hole usually measures 378 yards over and two lakes need to be negotiated before reaching an elevated tilted green.

But this winter it is being played as a 160-yard par three as the fairway is undergoing an extensive soil replacement and re-seeding programme.

Seniors' captain Roger Cockhill aced the temporary fifth hole while Eric Brooks achieved his first hole in one after nine years playing at Farrington. He struck a six iron into the 163-yard 10th hole while playing in a Texas scramble.

Dr Phil Gait had only been playing for six months and, as a beginner, enjoys the stiff challenge of the nine-hole Executive course.

He aced the 176-yard eighth while playing with another relatively new member Paul Martin.

Assistant professional Steve Ritchie is now halfway through a series of eight sessions of the club's Young Masters Golf lessons.

Half-a-dozen youngsters under the age of 16 who have passed the beginner's stage are being subjected to an in-depth look into the rules, etiquette, swing and short game on a semi-educational basis.

Each player receives a work folder and this new scheme complements the work of the Golf Foundation and is a step forward from the Foundation's merit award scheme.

Farrington are offering schools in Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Paulton the chance to run Try-Golf, a new concept for introducing the game to young children.

Bath and North East Somerset sports development officer Martin Pellow is offering each primary school in the area three free one-hour sessions with all equipment provided.

He is working closely with Farrington's head professional Jon Cowgill who will be conducting the sessions which are being financed by the Golf Foundation.