Happiness is one of several factors behind the resurgence of two of our longest-serving clients.

Darren Clarke and David Howell, fifth and 12th respectively in Qatar, have been part of the ISM camp for many years and I’m sure their contentment off the course has contributed much to their recent rise in form.

I have known Darren for more than 20 years and he is currently happier than I have seen him in a long time which must be aligned to his Christmas engagement to Alison while David has settled into married life and is now showing the form he is capable of.

Darren just can’t stop playing at the moment, although that’s not surprising because his idea of a day off is to have a round of golf.  He is so keen at the moment that we had to fix him up with an invitation to play in India next week along with a visa for the sub continent.   Next week will be his seventh tournament on the trot and he won’t have done that for a long time... if ever.

A new Taylormade R11 White driver has also proved a very reliable ally – adding 10 yards and unerring accuracy to his game.

It’s a while since I had cause to mention Richard Finch in this column and I am delighted to put that right this week.   Finchy, ninth in Qatar, has had a very solid start to the season and this could be a career-best year the way he is swinging and approaching the game.   I expect him to be in contention on a very regular basis.

If it’s a welcome back to Finchy then it’s hello and welcome for the first time to Christina Kim, the colourful American-Korean, who joined us recently.   I have a feeling it won’t be long before she is adding to her three professional titles.