On Sunday, Sidmouth golfers played in the George Meadows trophy, a three man team event, best score to count off three quarters handicap, writes John Barnard.

It was a large field so for the first time for a while, starts off three different tees were organised (the first, sixth and 14th) which also ensured that players finished at broadly similar times.

A packed clubhouse saw the scores coming and the winners announced early.

What quickly became apparent was that for no obvious reason, the scores were well down when compared to similar events using the same format. It was certainly a little foggy when teeing off and unusually, it got worse as the morning wore on so that may have affected the scores.

Players put their names up and are then drawn randomly into teams.

After scrutiny of the start sheet, the pre-competition favourites were Jonathan lee, Will Hastie and Graham Burgess, all low handicappers playing regularly. Once the scores were in, these three did indeed win, but it was a close run thing, only beating Alex Duckworth, Graham Davies and Kevin Howe on countback.

Both shot a medal score of 57, nine better than par but Lee, Hastie and Burgess’s back nine was just better.

There were prizes for the first five teams and countback was needed to separate third and fourth.

Both shot 58, but again, the back nine of Rob Willmington, Chris Grubb and Paul Renken was just better than Hugh Dorliac, Colin Mitchell and Neil Faulkner.

In fifth place were Chris (CM) Roberts, Matt Bavington and Allan Malcolm.

In the winter league, Kym white’s lead has been cut to four with three players equal in second place.

Mark Thomas, Les Pratt and Sean Murphy are beginning to breath down Kym’s neck so all to played for in the new year when the next round is due.