Club President Alec Salway opened the annual prizegiving at Sidmouth Golf Club and the ladies who led the way, writes George Carr.

The winners were read very ably by Liz Chance and the ladies’ prizes were presented by the lady captain for 2012 - the charming Anne Blackler. There were far too many awards to be properly recorded here and I apologize in advance for any disappointment that follows this summary. Julie Lye, a low handicap golfer who sets a high standard for all lady members, won three trophies including the Birdie Trophy and was runner up in two more.

Yvonne Anning, whose name littered the list of winners, has had a great year. Margaret Thompson won the Chambers Rose Basket and was runner up to Alison Cook in The Willock Cup, well done both. Judy Ritz, Liz Chance and Angela Coles were among medal winners the EWGA medals sponsored by Easterbrook, Eaton, and Angela Coles goes on to play in the regional finals where I am sure she will do Sidmouth proud.

Maria Clapp was runner-up to Marie Timms in the Centenery Trophy and lady captain Anne Blackler won the Dodd Salver. The two Sheilas - Thomson and Tallon won the Peggy Bell foursomes together. Sheila Tallon went on to win the Gertie Skinner Cup and was runner up in the Dodd Salver; but Sheila Thomson’s name was read out eight times before being deservedly being announced as Lady Golfer of the Year. The final words, however, must belong to Penny Lyne, who, having beaten the omnipresent Sheila Thomson in the final of the Matchplay Cup, became Ladies’ Club Champion Golfer 2012 by defeating Sheila once more in the Scratch Cup. Well done indeed, Penny!

President Alec Salway (who is stepping down in January) revealed that Trevor Kerridge would succeed him as president, an announcement met with approval by all. He told us, also, that David Pepperell would be next year’s vice-captain; which means he will be club captain in 2014, the 150th anniversary of the Sidmouth Golf Club.

Club captain for 2012, Paul Hitchcock, presided over the men’s awards, starting with the monthly medal winners; again my apologies for any omissions. Two double medal winners deserve a mention; in the first division the cheery countenance of Luke Sheppard could be seen threading his way between tables to collect division one medals for May and August whilst Chris Roberts did very well to win the June and October medals for division three.

In the ‘mixed’ competitions the Married Couples trophy was won by Malcolm and Anne Willoughby and the Greenwood Trophy by club manager Jonathan Lee and the now famous Yvonne Anning; well done to you all. Pat McCormack won the Seniors’ Knock Out cup and Mick Sherry The Veterans cup. Sailor John Welch was runner up to David Bater in the Handicap cup. Cock of the Green was won variously by Martyn White (gross) and Luke Sheppard (net) - it’s a handicap thing. Roger Freer was runner up to Vernon Ruffle in the Grandfather’s cup. In The Streatham Trophy, a serial competition played over the winter, Colin Macklin and Stuart Coles were a close second to Martyn White and Bob Webber. Mick Baden won the Burgoyne Cup.

In the coveted Hall Trophy Duncan Taylor was runner up Martyn White; in the hard fought Challenge Cup Martyn White was runner up to John Jones. And finally, The Scratch Cup - which denotes the Club Champion for 2012 - was won by Neil Holland for the umpteenth time when he defeated Stuart Coles in the final. Stuart is a young golfer of quality who works very hard on his game.

and his time will surely come. The Club Champion’s gracious speech now brought proceedings to and end and the bar was busier than ever and by now the waters of Lyme Bay lay in darkness; but the cheerful lights of Sidmouth Golf Club beamed out across them like a beacon of happiness; which indeed it is, to all its members and any who choose to visit.

In a footnote, I take it upon myself to say a big thank you on behalf of all club members to Alec Salway the Club President who steps down in January. His contributions to the welfare of our lovely golf club over many years, though quietly performed, have been of great benefit to us all.