SIDMOUTH GOLF - In between the showers last Sunday, over 30 golfers played in a qualifying bogey competition and, with one notable exception, the prize winners' list was dominated by the more youthful and flexible among us, write Terry Carter.

In between the showers last Sunday, over 30 golfers played in a qualifying bogey competition and, with one notable exception, the prize winners' list was dominated by the more youthful and flexible among us. First prize was earned by club junior Josh Gigg, playing off 18 handicap, who registered an impressive plus 7 holes against the course par. Josh will now be playing off 16 handicap, which might give some of the club's lesser mortals a chance. Lewis Perry, playing off 6, took second place with plus 3, and he saw his handicap ease south to 5.3. David Bater, playing off 5, settled for third place with the same total as a result of countback. Three more players managed to beat the course by 1 hole, and a countback was again required to give fourth prize to Hugh (notable exception) Dorliac ahead of Harry Tincknell and Ian Sutherland. Another large entry took place in last Monday's Stableford, with almost 50 golfers once again playing in this increasingly popular event. Paul Sexton will have been delighted with his 45 points, which saw him take first prize, earn a handicap cut to 19.5, and not least, trouser £41 prize money. Martin Geddis followed up his success in the previous Stableford with another second prize, this time with 42 points. Enjoy it while you can Martin, because Mr Lee will eventually get your handicap down below a level appropriate to your ability like the rest of us. Also on 42, but settling for third prize on countback, was Iain Roberts playing off 10 handicap and now down to 9.Our last golf column contained the enticing promise "the next Monday Stableford report will include what the club manager intriguingly describes as the Eclectic and Birdie standings!" To explain, for the first time we are recording the number of birdies achieved by each golfer throughout all the Monday Stablefords entered this season. Secondly the Eclectic score will be recorded, giving the best score each golfer achieves on each hole again throughout the Monday Stableford season. Unfortunately the detail doesn't sound as exciting as the promise, but that's what life is like for the average golfer. Regarding the Eclectic, Duncan Taylor and David Bater lead the way with a gross best of 59 against the course par of 66. In third and fourth places David Burgess and John Jones follow with 60, and Paddy Tallon and Mark Thomas take the next two places with 61. Members can check the full list on the club notice board, and it does make interesting reading. For example, did you know that Marc Shoobridge hit an eagle on the par 5 13th, while the Club Manager's best on the hole is a double bogey 7? The birdie count gives David Burgess the lead to date with 12, while Mark Thomas and David Bater each have 11. John Jones is only one behind, while Marc Shoobridge and Duncan Taylor both have eight to their names. Making up the top 20 to date are Paddy Tallon 7, John Game 7, Neil Holland 6, Nigel Winchester 5, Keith Denning 5, James Winchester 5, Iain Roberts 5, John Dunn 4, Stuart Coles 4, Ian Bright 4, Lewis Perry 4, Luke Sheppard 4, Mike Gosling 3 and Martyn White 3.