KINGTON Golf Club's proud claim to be the highest 18-hole course in England can have its occasional drawbacks with extremities of weather - but low cloud stopped play was a first for the joint captains' charity tournament, writes Jeremy Finney.

A view of seven counties from a height of 1,284 feet at Bradnor Hill is an attraction of the links course which was missing on this occasion.

Far from being able to see for miles and miles, players could scarcely make out what was 25 yards ahead when the decision was taken to abandon play.

"We thought the clouds would clear after starting, but conditions became worse," said club captain Robert Pritchard. "It was dangerous and so we abandoned play and the day will be arranged for another time."

Thirty-six teams of four from a wide area supported the am-am tournament staged by Pritchard and lady captain Barbara Radbourne as their joint venture after choosing Acorns children's hospice as their charity for the year.

Visibility became so poor that some of the visitors with little knowledge of the course were in danger of getting lost before being guided back to the clubhouse where the hosts had to suddenly attend to the needs of 144 players at the same time.

They all adapted to the situation well, however, and Kington officials will be hoping that the clear air that can make their course such an attractive venue will prevail when the charity tournament is re-staged.