The seniors’ season is now under way, with last Monday’s monthly competition appropriately taking place just after April Fools Day, writes Terry Carter.

The format was a three ball Stableford with two scores to count but, with each golfer restricted to three clubs and a putter instead of the usual bagful. We seniors usually find it difficult making any decision at all, and, even worse, nobody else cares about our decisions these days.

However, once we have decided on the three clubs from the available dozen or so normally in the golf bag, the bag is lighter and the limited choice makes the game less confusing than usual. It was a surprise though that, despite only having to look after three clubs, one of the seniors managed to lose his nine iron on the course.

The many teams generally recorded scores in the region of 70 points on the day, and fourth place was won by Doug Goodall playing off 14 handicap, past Club Captain Roger Bawden off 17 and Colston Herbert off 23.

As usual, all the teams were chosen at random, but this one looked good when I watched them hit impressive drives down the par 5 13th. They scored 76 points, with Colston Herbert in particular on the card on all but two holes.

Third place was taken with 77 points by Adrian Haysom off 15, Mike Anderson off 16 and Derek Geear off 26. Derek contributed 37 points to put his generous handicap at risk, which will surprise no one. He is noted for hitting the longest drive recorded at Crediton in a recent seniors’ friendly, although he did achieve it on the par five 14th when his tee shot landed on a goods wagon heading for North Devon on the adjacent railway track. Runners up were Allan Billingshurst off 15, Jerry Dewhurst off 22 and Bob Reynolds off 24. They hit an impressive 78 points total, and were in the lead with only two more teams to finish. I watched them putt out on the last, and we thought they might well have won it.

Mick Sherry, Brian Le Masurier and Charles Oram were in the following team, playing off 22, 21 and 28 handicaps respectively.

Persistent readers may remember that Mick was in the winning team in the last monthly competition, gaining first prize with 83 points, and I expect his shiny, new handicap has been delayed in the post.

In the meantime, he and his partners shook the potential winners with 87 points to take first prize in a difficult competition played in excellent weather on fast fairways and greens needing some rain.

?Seniors friendlies’ against other clubs start next Thursday, with a home match against neighbours Honiton.