RAIN has been desperately needed, but it can’t just be golfers who wish that it could be gentler overnight rain rather than the torrential, vicious showers we’re getting at the moment.

Dartmouth GC ladies had captain Chris Mushens’ away day on Tuesday at Bigbury.

Despite a worrying forecast, the signs were quite promising at first, only for the rain to strike with a vengeance. With great fortitude, all groups made it to the eleventh and then retired to the welcome warmth of the clubhouse.

Barbara Dally’s putter was on fire and so, along with Shelley Durrans and Jodie Kenyon, she came out on top with 55 points.

Marilyn Lucas, Chris Mushens and Katie Panton were second on 51 points, beating Sharon Jones, Tina Scanlan and Anne Woodward via countback.

Many thanks to Andrea and her team at Bigbury for making everyone feel welcome and mitigating the downside of the bad weather.

Teignmouth ladies then visited Dartmouth for their own event and as they were short of two players, Chris Mushens and Chris Mayer stepped in to help.

In spite of a delay to try to avoid the worst of the weather, the game had to be reduced to nine holes and, for a second day, both left the golf course looking as if they had fallen into deep water. Sensibly, the men’s competition for that day had been cancelled.

A full field was welcomed to Dartmouth for the shotgun start of the Carlsberg Open on Saturday.

East Devon duo Stuart Selway and Mark Reed prevailed, scoring 41 points, ahead of Sidmouth’s George Barker and Archie Griffiths on countback.

Paul Harris & Roger Thompson (Charminster), Paul McHugh & Alex McHugh (Mullion) and John Clink & Trevor Sayce (Saunton) all scored 40 points, finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Nearest-the-pin prizes went to Jo Lugg and George Barker whilst Paul Wheeler successfully guessed the number of last balls.