THE monthly Medals were the order of the day for Dartmouth GC ladies this week and, although it’s not everyone’s favourite format, it was embraced with good humour.

Katie Panton was playing in her first medal and was quick to pick up the fact that the computer does a good job on the big scores for handicap purposes. Although Katie didn’t have her best day, it was pleasing to see some good scores for the ladies whose handicaps have not been going in the direction that they would have liked.

Marilyn Lucas overcame a nightmare on the fourth to finish with a level par score of nett 74 and had Chris Aresti and Alison White chasing closely behind. The 14th was Alison’s nightmare hole and her score there contributed to her finishing behind Chris on countback, both having a nett 75.

On the Dartmouth course, the ladies have continued with their decision to move up from nine to 18 holes. Putting that in context, it’s a long way down from the ninth tee to green, only to face the walk back up that hill from the tenth to take on the second nine.

Congratulations to Barbara Dally, who managed a one-under-par nett 65, followed by Sharon Jones who was just one over with a 67.

The club is proud to support Dartmouth Regatta and holds the Regatta Trophy each year. It’s a shotgun start so all players were getting ready to play when the gentle morning rain became torrential, flooding greens and fairways with remarkable speed.

Such was the ferocity of the downpour that cancellation was feared at one point but, with huge thanks to the greenkeeping staff, who worked like fury to return the course to a playable condition, there was just a two-hour delay. Not easy when the whole course had to be ready by the start of play.

Home players tend to do well on their own course, but the top places in the men’s competition saw a mix of both home and away.

Kevin Matthews (IGolf) was first with 40pts, second went to Edward Blake (Thurlestone) for 38pts on countback from third Rob Haddy and fourth Rob Barrett (both Dartmouth). Colin Matthews (Pryor’s Hayes) was fifth on 37 pts.

There were home wins for the ladies, with Chris Mayer beating Chris Mushens on countback, on 33 pts.

Congratulations to them and to the nearest the pin and longest drive winners, Paul Brown, Rob Haddy and Chris Mayer. There were twos for Roy Baldwin, Edward Blake, Ciaran Daniels, Mark Langdon and Adrian Rendle.

The weather continued to cause problems at the weekend, with the three Johns - Garner, Cousins and Merriam - the only ones to manage to both play and complete the Mixed Stableford.

In atrocious conditions, John Garner even managed to accumulate 36 points, some way ahead of his playing partners. The men’s Medal and Sandbanks Round Two was following the Stableford but had to be abandoned as the rain once again flooded the greens and fairways.

Talking of John Garner and in the senior section, he has been defending his Seniors Cup crown.

He set the benchmark in 2024 with a three-round total of 203 but was not in the running this time.

Instead, attention focused on this season’s frontrunners: current leader David Sparks, holding a four-shot advantage over “Radar” Roy Baldwin going into the final round. The race looked set to be decided between the two — and so it proved.

The competition reached its conclusion with the 5th and final round played on the Championship Course. This medal event was contested off the blue tees with the usual 95% handicap allowance, and the best three net rounds counting towards the overall aggregate score. Seniors of the Year points were also on the line.

With a gusty wind blowing many off course, neither contender was able to improve on their existing scores. The status quo remained, leaving David Sparks to lift this year’s prestigious Seniors Cup, with “Radar” Roy Baldwin finishing runner-up. Very well done to both for their commitment and perseverance.

As for the day’s play, 21 golfers took part in the final round, but it was Andrew Dix who claimed the honours with an excellent net 69 (gross 83), a round that included nine pars despite some tricky back-flag positions.

Nigel Osborne secured second on countback with a fine nett 73. So, this marathon series finally reaches its conclusion. George Reeve and Desmond Graham took third and fourth respectively with John Garner in fifth (nett 76) and Tony King in sixth (77).

The format remains divisive, and there was a collective sigh of relief from many competitors when play wrapped up, with the clubhouse offering welcome consolation. Normal Stableford service resumes next week.

No birdie twos were recorded on the day. Scores were tallied by Nigel Osborne — our usual thanks go his way.

The Seniors Cup champion David ended with a tally of nett 209, finishing ahead of Roy Baldwin (213), Andrew Dix (214), David Ward (215), George Reeve (217) and Gary Bonser (218).

After 21 events, George Reeve leads the Senior of the Year standings with 68 points. Roy Baldwin (64) and Andrew Dix (58) are his closest challengers currently.

With just five qualifying events remaining, the battle for the title looks set to be fought out between these three contenders.

Elsewhere, the home friendly against Dainton was played on Tuesday, August 19. Conditions were testing: a firm course, softened only by frequent showers, though the greens were in excellent shape.

Dartmouth edged the match 3.5–2.5, with notable wins from Alistair Forbes & Tony King and Nigel Osborne & Malcolm Barrett. Gary Bonser once again proved sharp in the nearest-the-pin contest. A narrow win leaves the return fixture at Dainton finely poised.

Finally, to the Blight Trophy individual knockout and Ian Metchette edged out Nigel Osborne on the first extra hole to book his place in the final. Ian will face Gary Bonser at the final hurdle.

Next week features a Circus Style Stableford Qualifier alongside a home match against China Fleet.