DARTMOUTH GC ladies were playing for one of their favourite trophies this week - the Badger Bray. Presented by the late Joan Bray, it isn’t a traditional trophy shape but is a much-loved, curled bronze badger.

Competition was fierce and Anne Woodward, playing in the Badger Bray for the first time, beat Jules Vincent to third place on countback, both scoring 39 points.

Shelley Durrans and Beccy Barrett were the duo with top spot in their sights though and high points-scoring pars on the 15th and 16th were sufficient to give Shelley a 21-point finish and the countback win. Congratulations and commiserations to all in equal measure.

In the men’s weekly competition, Dave Nicholls had the best round of the day with a nett 70 but all other top places had to be separated on countback.

Second in Division One went to Paul Brown with 71, ahead of Andy Birss. 73 was the score achieved by the top three in Division Two, John Garner edging out Lew Easter and David Thompson.

The Rogers Gold Cup set yet another challenge for those brave enough to take on the gold tees. Points aren’t always easy to come by from the golds, so it was surprising that Clive Meredith’s 36 points was only good enough for third place.

Pete Hannaford was taking the front nine apart with three pars and two birdies and had accumulated 24 points before stumbling on the tenth and eleventh. Although he recovered his game, Paul Marels recovered the 5-point deficit to equal Pete’s overall 42 points and so win on countback.

A mixed Stableford was running alongside the Gold Cup and was again blessed with good scores. Bobby Wotton was clubhouse leader on 39 points for quite a while before John Cousins posted his 42 points to pip Bobby to the win.

Congratulations to two of the club squads that were in action this weekend. The Dartmoor League team had a solid 3.5-1.5 win over Woodbury Park and to the mixed friendly squad who completed the season’s double over Churston.

ANOTHER Stableford qualifier was the challenge which awaited Dartmouth senior golfers on Monday, July 14.

Standard handicap protocols were in place as play commenced from the blue tees on the championship course- 27 players in the field.

They had a taste of the four seasons as the morning turned from cloudburst- sleet - rain – sun, with a very strong accompanying wind. Man for all seasons on this occasion was Richard Bevan who put together an exceptional 40-pointer given the challenging conditions.

He was followed into the house by fine wind player Gary Bonser, who produced a classy round of just 79 shots, equating to 38 points.

Very well done to both players. Good rounds too from Messrs Newton (38pts), Reeve (36), Ward (36) and Atkins (36), all of whom were in spitting distance. Given the adverse conditions, the average score of 30 was higher than expected but nevertheless, the course held its own, particularly on the inward nine.

No Birdie twos were scored at the par threes. Nigel Osborne was on hand to count them all back- many thanks to him.

Elsewhere, the latest Dartmouth seniors fixture was a home match against Torquay GC. In dry and very warm conditions, six pairs from each club fought out a 3-3 draw.

Dartmouth's Alistair Forbes & Tony King produced a fine 3&2 win, with Tony also claiming the nearest the pin on hole number 3. The return match at Torquay will be next month.

In other news, Gary Bonser beat Graham Burton and Nigel Osborne overcame Rob Isaacs-Berry in the quarter-final of the Blight trophy individual knockout. Next week sees a fun multiplier!