The “s” word is of course snow; a word which sends an icicle through the heart of any golf club manager. We have been lucky so far this winter, he says, clutching his lucky rabbit's foot and touching wood, at both Dale Hill and Chart Hills.

I still consider myself to be a relative newcomer to the game of golf, having come to the game only eight years ago at the tender age of 37, when I became general manager of Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club.

There is nothing more nerve-wracking for a hotel manager than to be told as they walk into work in the morning, that a gentleman from the AA or Visit Britain stayed last night, and could he see you in the lounge... 

At Dale Hill we have just completed our summer greens' renovations. So picture the scene if you will; it's the perfect day for golf at Dale Hill, you are on the first hole of the Ian Woosnam Course - a tricky par five but you have played it magnificently. You are on the green in regulation and your ball is six foot from the pin. You have a putt for a birdie...

Some of you may have read my previous blog "Preparing for the Rose Thistle Challenge" so I thought I should follow up and tell you about the trip.