Farrington Golf Club are planning a major surprise in their first competitive fixture of the year against Saltford in the Daily Mail five-man team knock out on Sunday.

Saltford can call on Somerset county captain Bradley Whittock, former Welsh professional champion and Walker Cup player Mathew Stanford and Max Brittan, one of the most talented of the county’s younger players.

But Farrington have the home advantage that could be decisive against perhaps the strongest team in the area, even though Whittock knows the course well and was the club’s first champion during his time as a founder-member at Farrington.

Andy Hughes, who has taken over from Richard Wait as Farrington’s first team captain this year, is brimming with confidence.

He said: “I know we’ll start as underdogs but I am enthusiastic and I am sure we can provide an upset. This will be like my first FA Cup final.

“I am fielding our strongest team and I am prepared to give any member a chance to shine this season, irrespective of age.”

Somerset county player Craig Adams, off scratch, club champion Tom Small, off 2, five-handicappers Shane Phelps and Murray Day and teenager Alex Knight, who plays off eight, make up the team.

Farrington members now have the added bonus of being able to play at three nearby courses for a substantially reduced green fee.

Reciprocal arrangements have been made with Wells, Saltford and Stockwood Vale. Members can play these courses by prior arrangement at a concessionary fee by producing their Farrington membership card.

Secretary Stephen Cook fears that the new R and A rules over handicap allowances for matchplay events could deter lower handicap players from entering competitions.

From this year the new rules stipulate that all matchplay events should be played off full handicaps and not three-quarters of the difference as in the past.

He said: “Apparently the rule has only been changed after hundreds of tests that indicated that it wouldn’t make any difference so we shall have to wait and see.

“But all the lower handicap players I have spoken to are not happy. A scratch player could play against a 28-handicapper and conceding 28 strokes would be ridiculous.”

Mr Cook is the lowest handicapper in the seniors section and plays off eight. The difference in matchplay events on the 3,000-yard nine-hole course will remain at three-quarters.

Head professional Jon Cowgill’s first scholarship class of the year for the hand-picked juniors who have made most improvement takes place on February 16.

He is also coaching the Somerset Junior League team during the spring and summer holidays. There will also be coaching for junior members on Monday mornings during the spring and summer half-term breaks.