WELCOME to Golf in the Wild.

Six new road signs promoting Allendale Golf Club as the home of the golf book produced by club treasurer Robin Down have been erected at the various approaches to the course coming from Allendale, Allenheads and Park Gates.

The signs, donated by MKM Hexham, were shown off at the chairman’s versus captain’s competition at the weekend, where the 2017 captains Johnny Birhcall and Pat Hignett were paired together to take on the chairman’s team. In a closely fought competition over nine holes, the captain’s team won by 156 Stableford points to 152.

Robin Down said: “We greatly appreciate the support given by MKM. Our old signs were looking weather-worn after 10 years of Allen Valley winters and their replacement with modern, hard-wearing materials means that they not only look excellent but demonstrate to anyone passing by that we are a thriving golf club.

“Without the generous support of MKM, it is unlikely that we would have ended up with such professional and well-presented signage.”

The first club competition of the year at Allendale saw Ron Jamieson (64) win the April Medal on countback from Rod Milburn (64). Peter Robinson (65) was third. Richie Rutherford achieved the lowest gross score of 69, also recording a nett 65.

Bellingham’s new captains Michael Davison and Nathalie Brown hoisted the club’s flag to herald the beginning of the 2017 season, before both hitting fine drives to commence their season of captaincy.

The Captain’s Drive-In competition was won by Robbie Gardner with 37 points, with the next three players tied on 34. Bob Simpson claimed second on countback from third placed Chris Clark and fourth placed Graham Wilson.

Posting an impressive 6 up, Dennis Orridge edged out Graeme Smith, also with 6 up, to the Begus Trophy at Tynedale. In a close field of 45 entrants, third place went to George Henson (5 up), again on countback.