A triumphant and emotional return for Malcolm at Dartmouth

THERE were Medals on both courses for Dartmouth ladies this week, reports Chris Mushens.

On the Championship course, Katie Panton was having a great day. Although she managed the only double-digit score of the day, it was on the second hardest hole and she more than compensated for it by a sparkling performance on the other holes - beautiful golf was how her playing partner described her play.

Her nett 70 was four under par and gave her a welcome cut in handicap. Some way behind, Chris Mushens was second with 75 followed by Shelley Durrans with 76.

The ladies on the Dartmouth course were finding it more of a challenge, with the long par five fourth hole proving to be particularly tricky and causing one player to make a no-return. Sue Warren edged the win with a nett 75, just ahead of Sharon Jones on 76.

There was a full field for the shotgun start for the midweek Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta Open, which attracted players from across England and Wales.

The Open has a history of poor weather so it was a delight to play it in sunshine. The scores reflected the good playing conditions with the top seven prize winners all scoring in the 40s.

Prize-giving was quite emotional truth be told. Malcolm Barrett has only recently returned to golf after breaking his leg badly earlier in the year and was beyond delighted to win the trophy with 44 points, beating Shelley Durrans on back six countback.

Robin Drake (Tiverton Golf Club) was third with 43 points. Longest Drives were won by Tom Benney (Perranporth) and Lou Hawkins (Witney Lakes) and there were Nearest the Pins for Malcolm Barrett, Rob Isaacs-Berry, Kevin Mathews and Charlie Brice (Lamberhurst).

It was a great day - many thanks to Steve Atkins and Brian Mushens for their organisation and to the Pro Shop for their support.

The weather broke on the evening of the Regatta competition with heavy rain falling overnight and again on Friday evening.

With the ground baked hard following weeks of strong sunshine, the rain found it hard to percolate the fairways, causing the suspension of play on Saturday. A few hardy souls ventured out, dodging the showers, when play resumed, but the formal competitions were postponed until next week.

The Dartmouth GC seniors were without their usual Monday competition this week due to the Bank Holiday- they return to action on September 7.

Pictured are Dartmouth duo Malcolm Barrett and Shelley Durrans after their respective successes.

Thurlestone ladies’ competition last Wednesday was a Club Foursomes and Doris Willies Little Qualifier, writes Liz Line.

Sue Ansley and Lou Read reigned victorious with a total of 41 points, one ahead of Kaz Phillips and Jenny Bates in second. There were no birdie twos scored.

After a good down pour of rain in the early hours of Thursday morning, the course looked in very good condition and a credit to the Greens staff.

Thurlestone welcomed Tavistock for the first leg of the Moor to Sea Trophy which Thurlestone won last year with the return leg on October 12, in a rearranged date due to fog earlier in the season!

Tavistock players commented, whilst in the clubhouse, enjoying a light breakfast, how well the first hole looked. There were near perfect conditions with the sun shining and a light breeze- a perfect day for golf.

Match Captain John Rogers and partner Greg Cooper came in with a 3&2 win followed by Alistair Whalley and Steve Gallagher also winning their match.

Peter Basten and Mark Greatorex drew their match but Ken Riley and Owen Rees winning 5&3 followed by David Hook and Ian Linkins also winning 5&3, to put Thurlestone in a strong position for the return fixture.

It’s a great result for Thurlestone wining 4.5-1.5, thus taking a comfortable lead to Tavistock for the away leg to retain the Moor to Sea Trophy. Nearest the pin for Thurlestone was Greg Cooper and for Tavistock, Rick Read.

The competition on Saturday, August 29, suffered from heavy rain and saw more than half the field cancelled out.

Daniel Cunningham came out on top with 32 points, from Wilf Cunningham with 31 points and Jonathan Kitchin and Nick Buck with 30 points. There were four birdie twos and congratulations go to Daniel Cunningham, Wilf Cunningham, Jonathan Kitchin and Mark Knight.

The Presidents and Sheelah Creasy teams reached the quarterfinals of their respective competitions and I’m delighted to report that The Presidents have reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive year!

Fingers crossed they can go one better and make it to the final! Sadly, the Sheelah Creasy team were once again up against a very strong Saunton side, who again proved to be very tough opponents to beat. Well done to both teams playing so well.

Lastly, it was a remarkable coincidence that two players from Edgbaston Golf Club, Birmingham, both scored hole-in-ones whilst playing at Thurlestone on Friday, August 28.

Pictured are Ruth Downing (right), whose success was at the first hole (not a bad way to start) and Carl Withers who achieved this on the fifth Hole- congratulations to both golfers.