Never mind all the so-called excitement in America last weekend, the real drama was unfolding at Dartmouth Golf Club where the Harold Ryder Cup was up for grabs again.

This biannual competition, which features six pairs to a team, traditionally takes place on the Sunday of the Pro Ryder Cup and is played between Dartmouth-born Football Club members, this year captained by John Wadeson, and a Rest of the World team, captained this year by Mick Whitelaw.

There was much banter, a ­little bad language and surprisingly enough some pretty good golf on the day.

In a closely contested competition, it was the Football Club members who came out on top – they were the current holders, and with the scores being tied at three apiece, they retained the cup for another two years.

At the end of the match ­special thanks were offered to Joyce Wadeson, who provided an excellent post-match buffet.

As autumn settles in there is only a few medal competitions left in the calender, much to the relief of many, and we can soon look forward to placing the ball.

The Shareholders Trophy was played last Wednesday. Andy Dix won the trophy with a solid round of nett 74. Mike Griffiths’ return to form was timely – he came second with 75 on countback from defending champion Joe Turner, while Mike Whitelaw, also on 75, was fourth from fifth-placed Steve Fishburn.

There were no twos again, so the money goes to the captain’s charity, which has been doing very well lately from the twos box.

At the weekend the monthly stableford was played – and what a pleasure it was to be able to walk up to the blue tees.

Conditions were not ­favorable for good scoring, but that is something we are going to have to get used to now that winter is approaching.

Despite being away with the boys on tour and drinking far too much amber nectar, Steve Blackie played well to win

the competition with a good score of 38; second was the Dartmouth Man winner Ian Metchette with yet another solid round, scoring 37; third was Phil Eggins with 36; and fourth was John Garner with 35, on countback from David Thompson.

There was only one two and that went to Joe Nicholls.

On Sunday the final of the summer knockout was played between Andy Birss and Joe Nicholls – and what a game they had.

It was nip and tuck all the way round, with neither player gaining a huge advantage, and it all came down to the 36th hole.

Andy won the 17th to go one up as they stood on the 18th tee; Joe could only manage a half on the last, which means that Andy is the singles champion for 2016.

They were both completely exhausted by the end, with despair for Joe and elation for Andy – but hey, that’s golf.

This week’s seniors competition at the club was a fun yellow ball competition, whereby the participants played as a team of four, with each player taking turns to play a hole with a ­yellow ball. It is a straight ­stableford competition, with the yellow ball players having their points score doubled at their respective holes, plus the best score from any of the other ­players in their team.

Confusing for many, but fun nonetheless, with each team ­trying to work out the best ­strategy for the individual ­handicaps their team holds.

On the day the team that appeared to have found the right sequence was that of Tony Andrew, Chris Grant, Colin Cooper and David Rowsell, who had a combined score of 103 points.

This was just enough to secure the win over Mike Whitelaw, Martin Howlett, Mario Aresti and Rob Isaacs-Berry, who also had 103 points, but just lost out on countback.

There was only one two on the day, and this went to Gordon Holmes on the finishing par-three 18th. Next week the guys will be teeing it up in a more regular format, an individual stableford competition.

It will, however, be a little ­different than usual, as the ­competition is also being used to help celebrate a special birthday for a very young George Reeve. He is also generously providing refreshments, plus nearest-the-pin and longest-drive prizes on the day – sounds like it will be too good an event to miss.