FORM IS TEMPORARY....

Our Golf Correspondent reports

After a few weeks absence from the fairways, due to unforseen circumstances, the galleries at Hever Castle were this afternoon treated to Snopper`s return to the royal and ancient game. Actually, a couple of things need clarifying. The galleries were strangely absent, save for the occasional bystander; and to say they were `treated` is perhaps to flirt dangerously with the Trade Descriptions Act.

However, it was good to see Snopper quickly regaining the form he has consistently shown throughout his career. A seven on the first was followed by a five on the second, a commendable four on the third....and then trouble started and it wasn`t until the final three holes of his round that Snopper began to play as we all know he can. At the end of it all, some creative accounting and hardnosed negotiations concerning handicap levels saw him declare a net score which exactly matched that of his playing partner, last seen heading for the clubhouse shaking his head in mild disbelief at what had befallen him.

But at least the afternoon proved once more that the old adage is still true. Form may indeed be temporary, but most definitely in Snopper`s case, the absence of class continues to be permanent.