Dartmouth men's golf

There was a threat of rain in the forecast  as the first group of players headed down the fairway, but it was dry and all seemed well.

That didn't last long, as the rain came in at about 11am and there it stayed. 

Surprisingly, all the players stayed out and completed their rounds and all came in absolutely soaked, what a hardy bunch.

The bad weather didn't bother Lou Easter as he won the front nine with a creditable 22 points.

Martin Howlett won the back nine with a realistic score for the conditions of 16.

It was the new boy, however, Ivo Gavin that won. Recently turned 18, he was able to play in the Wednesday circus for the first time and scored 34 to take the honours.

Saturdays competition, the Sandbanks Trophy, a medal format played off the white tees, was a complete wash out.

A few early players teed off but were soon back in the clubhouse wanting their money back. The later tee times didn't bother to even put their shoes on and so the competition was abandoned and will be re- scheduled.

The first league match of the season was played at Dartmouth against Bovey Castle and what a tight match it was .

The opening pair of Harry Lord and Paul Dunkerley won 4-2. The second pair of Andy Dix and David Brooking also won 4-2. The third pair of Ivo Gavin and John Wood lost 3-2. Rod Hawke and Dave Nichols also lost 4-2.

Therefore it was all down to the last pair of John Garner and Bob Wotton. They were two down coming off the 16th, but Garner won the 17th to make it one down, and they were stood on the 18th and all to play for.

Both Tony Frank and Tom Pollard got over the lake and were left with a long chip. Bob hit his worst drive of the day and failed to make it over, John got over and chipped up to four feet.

Both opponents missed their par putts, which left Garner with that four-footer to halve the match.

The six-inch break, however, fooled him and he lipped out to lose one down and the team lost 3-2.