EDDIE Pepperell will be well advised to stay out of the rough this week as he plays on a course home to hippos, leopards and dangerous snakes.

The Abingdon golfer is in the field for the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in South Africa, which starts today.

After an unusual opening to the European Tour season last weekend, Pepperell will be hoping to be able to focus on golf.

The 21-year-old had a frustrating start to his debut season on the elite circuit, as the first two rounds at the Nelson Mandela Championship were washed out.

When play finally got under way it was on a much-shortened course, reduced to a par 65.

After a solid opening 66, Pepperell tumbled down the standings in the final round, dropping five shots in the last two holes to card a 74.

He tweeted: “Been a funny week with all that’s happened. Safe to say I’m extremely excited to get to Leopard Creek.”

CLUB RESULTS
NORTH OXFORD
Midweek Turkey Trot: 1 T Brennan 32pts. 2 J Chesman 31.
Weekend Turkey Trot: 1 S J Smith, 2 J Wakefield, 3 J Simpson.
THE WYCHWOOD
Father Christmas Trophy: 1 R Sale, S James, M Champness & S Carpenter 111 pts, 2 P Barnard, A Lever, C O’Hare & P Bentham 110, 3 M Boobyer, A Nolan, T Smith & A Watson 108.