Dartmouth Golf Club men’s section

The midweek circus was contested by 23 players writes John Garner.

A brisk north-east wind greeted them, making the back nine play a little easier once they got past the 11th hole.

Mike Whitelaw kindly stepped in to organise play and sent the first group out at 11.05.

To keep play running smoothly, he put Arthur Carr out last as he’s had a rough time lately with his health, but being the champion he is he’s been given a clean bill of health now and celebrated that with a two on the 18th.

It’s a pity only his playing partners saw it, but it was nice to see a happy and smiling Arthur at the bar!

Paul Dunkerley and Ron Barton shared the twos with him and also smiling from ear to ear was John Garner, who continued his recent good form to have a share of the back nine with Steve Owen and Mike Whitelaw and win the front nine with 20 points and overall with 40.

The circus championship was played at the weekend. Ian Metchette was at the helm this time and as it turned out had both hands firmly on the wheel.

There were nine twos; too numerous to mention, there could have been 10 if Richard Watts had hit his putt harder on the last. He left it just short, but his consolation was that he won nearest the pin making his day a little less painful.

Paul Compton was playing in the circus for the first time and the rules state that you have to play off 18 so he last two shots, had he played off his official handicap the outcome could have been different.

Last week’s winner of the Newton Trophy, Ian Jen­kins, played well off his new handicap and came in third on the front with 22. Coming second was John Garner, also with 22, but taking the top dollar was Bob Wotton, who scored a scorching 24 points with only one par, work that out.

Steve Blackie was third on the back with 19, second Paul Comp­ton 20, first the maestro himself Ian Met­chette with 23.

Overall in third was John (not again) Garner 40, second Paul Comp­ton 42, but taking the title of circus champion 2015 was Ian Metchette with a cracking score of 44 playing off 13.