Dartmouth Golf Club

Men’s section

Last Wednesday Dart­mouth hosted one of the most important competitions of the year as it is crucial to the survival of the members fund writes John Garner.

The organisers did not have a peaceful night’s sleep as the forecast was dire.

Overnight rain had drenched the course, but god bless ‘em, the green keepers were up early shifting gallons of water off the greens and only 20 minutes late the course opened.

A fine turn out of 88 players enjoyed a surprisingly dry course and day, although bunkers were out of play.

Peter Sigler, Alistair Johnson and Adrian Hughes were the only three to get a two.

Christine Mayer guessed correctly the number of lost balls, which was 198! Nearest the pin for the men was captain Kevin Eighteen and the longest drive went to Neil Melville.

Nearest the pin for the ladies was Mercy Lamb and the longest drive went to Jan Keen.

In the ladies’ bronze division third was Chris Mushens with 26, second Chris Mayer 27, and first Silvia Shalders 28.

In the silver division Marilyn Lucas finished third with 25, in second was Sandra Klimcke with 28 and first Jan Cousens 29.

The stableford competition for the men saw How­ard Clark take fourth place with 37, with Kevin Eighteen in third, also with 37.

Ian Metchette claimed second on countback with 38, a dispute over the rules on the fifth hole costing him the title as it was Sid Davis with 38 who is the Regatta champion.

On Saturday it was the turn of that Welsh man again, ex-captain Geoff Penhale, to host his very own creation of the Olympic Tankard competition.

It’s a greensome format, not everyone’s favourite but the day was well attended and enjoyed by all, including the ladies and juniors, or to put it more accurately, the lady Chris Mushens and the junior Sam Knight.

I thought Geoff’s smile was a little wider that morning and when I asked why he replied: ‘Last week boyo, I shot my age in a competition, 76.’

That took him back down to 9.4, restoring his over 40-year-old record as a single-figure golfer; it didn’t last long, though, but Geoff, 10 at 76 ain’t bad.

The competition was closely fought and third was Andy Lennon and Jack Kirby with 35, on countback from second Brian and Chris Mushens in second and Clive Westwood and John Wood taking victory with 36 points.

There were three twos, by Dave Fahy and Bob Cottam, John Garner and Bob Wot­ton, and Andy Lennon and Jack Kirby.