Dartmouth Golf Club

Last Wednesday's ­circus was organised by Lewis Easter with it being his 75th birthday, although the weather had a big impact on the day.

Twenty four players turned up for the coffee and bacon baps, all anticipating that the rain would stop. But it didn't and the ­competition was cancelled until the following Wednesday.

Still, there was an unofficial circus, which was run by Rob Knight, for those who wanted to stay and 17 players played the back nine twice.

Steve Owen won the front nine with 18 points and Rod Hawke won the back with 19. Steve also won overall with a creditable score of 34.

A mixed circus was played on Saturday and it was really nice to see how well John Wood played.

A couple of years ago he had to give up the game due to his wife's poor health, but that is behind them now and John is back on the fairways and getting to where he was, albeit he was slightly nervous at ­having to play off nine.

He needn't have worried as he played a superb front nine, two under par, to score 24, winning the competition with a brilliant card of 42. Jack Kirby won the back with 20.

John also had a two along with Ray Coles.

While that was being played Bob Cottam was playing in a friendly with his usual partners, during which they witnessed the shot of the century from Bob.

A good drive on the 13th saw his ball land close to the 150 marker, so close in fact that he had to remove it as it impeded his swing.

Preparing for the shot, Bob was experimenting with a new interlocking grip, and as he swung down he topped the ball, causing it to jump in the air and straight down the hole of the marker post – another tale for the bar.

Monday morning started damp and drizzly, as 32 of Dartmouth Golf Club's seniors commenced their ­weekly competition.

This week it was a pair's event, played off three-quarter handicaps, where the best ­stableford score from each player went ­forward at each hole to so as to determine the overall result.

Although the dampness stopped as the morning progressed, there was nevertheless a bitter, cold wind that tended to make the play a tad uncomfortable at times.

In a very close finish the pair that finally took the victory was Colin Cooper and Des Graham, who returned a combined score of

38 points.

The unlucky runners-up were David Barnes and Bob Welham, who also scored 38 points, although they lost on countback.

There was only one two scored on the day and that was by Martin Howlett at the short par-three fifth hole.

Next week the guys will not have a partner to rely on as they are back playing on their own in an individual stableford competition.