Sidmouth Golf : IN a change this year, Sidmouth held the Open on Friday, and we were again subjected to the occasional dash of sunshine fortified by heavy showers, so it was no surprise that some teams scored much better than others over the day.

Sidmouth Golf : IN a change this year, Sidmouth held the Open on Friday, and we were again subjected to the occasional dash of sunshine fortified by heavy showers, so it was no surprise that some teams scored much better than others over the day.

The format was three ball teams playing medal with one score to count, and Denis Williamson was a willing volunteer as starter on a very difficult day. I know it was extremely wet as we teed off, but it was a bit unnerving when, from the shelter of his umbrella, Denis, referring to me, declared: "On the tee, Mr Chris Timms."

We all find it more difficult playing a course other than our own, so the net 59 recorded by Crediton golfers P Jory, C Davey and W Porter fully deserved the best visitor prize. We can usually tell how teams have done by their mood in the clubhouse, and it was clear that Mark Thomas, Neil Holland and Simon Jones had a good score.

Sure enough, they took first prize with an impressive net 53. Kevin Legg, Roy Turner and D Hazlewood secured second place, and, with one eye on his handicap Kevin assured me he contributed very little to the net 56 total other than to mark the card. That will definitely make our fellow members of the midday roll up gasp!

Third place was won by Neil Faulkner, David Pepperell and Damion Gee with net 58, and Neil continues to ignore my advice to let his subjects win all the prizes during his year. On a countback Mike Gosling, Martin Geddis and I settled for fourth prize with the same net 58, and Paddy Tallon, Mick Baden and David Burgess finished in fifth place with a net 59. Again due to a countback, father and son Rob and Will Finch, partnered by Phil Spencer, won the last of the home team prizes with another net 59.

Even though a number of visiting teams competed, the entry list could have been bigger, and very few other than winners were present for prizegiving. And so it was understandable that as he announced the winners, club captain, Neil Faulkner should suggest that the whole issue of the Open Day format needs to be considered again before next year.

Sidmouth Golf by

Terry Carter