Dartmouth Golf Club

Created by former member Mark Lord, the 'Grotty Cup' was played last Wednesday at Dartmouth writes John Garner.

Always a popular event, a good number of golfers turned up, all looking forward to competing.

The weather was kind to Ian Metchette, who organised the event in the absence of Mark. It was decided to have three winners for the front and back, so for the front: 1 Mark Collins 22, 2 Ian Met­chette 20, 3 John Wood 19.

The back nine was shared between Barry O'Shea, Rob Berry and David Thompson with 17.

Conditions weren't easy, with a cold north-westerly cut across the fairways, but that was no problem to Mark Col­lins, who won the cup with a round round of 37.

Second was Ian Metchette with 34 and third David Thompson 33.

There were four twos, each picking up £10 for their effort: Ian Metchette, John Wood, Andy Dix and Mike White­law.

There was a slight delay to the start of the monthly medal on Sat­urday due to a sharp frost, but when play started the players were treated to a stunningly beautiful day of brilliant sunshine and, rarest of all, not a breath of wind.

Vice-captain Kevin Eighteen made the most of that by carding one of his best rounds ever and won the competition by a landslide, scoring 42, well played that man.

In second was Chris Eddowes 37, third Clive Westwood 36 on countback from fourth Ian Metchette, and fifth Andy Birss 35.

There were two twos, Chris Eddowes on the fifth and Adrian Rendle on the 18th.

But before all this took place a certain Welshman turned up at the club at 8.30am, brandishing his leek with flaring nostrils and curled lip.

There's nothing better than a battle between the Welsh and the English and Geoff Penhale was ready to take on the opposition of Bob Cottam and Dave Fahy.

He was doing this bravely on his own as his partner Alan Goldthorpe was away on holiday.

He waited for them to turn up, and waited and waited, by 9.30am he was somewhat deflated and phoned Bob to ask where they were.

Bob replied: 'Our match isn't until January 3 Geoff, you're a little early...'

Mr Penhale, that takes the biscuit.