Better Ball Stableford off three quarter handicap has to be one of the least stressful formats in golf, and Saturday's fine weather on Sidmouth's fairways gave us all a great day, writes Terry Carter.

Better Ball Stableford off three quarter handicap has to be one of the least stressful formats in golf, and Saturday's fine weather on Sidmouth's fairways gave us all a great day. The competition was The Bedford Hotel Trophy, an event made possible by the continued generous sponsorship provided by the popular seafront hotel. There were ladies' and men's prizes available, and first prize among the men was won by Neil Holland and Mark Thomas, who carded 45 points playing off two and eight respectively. Having to play off three quarter handicap affected some more than others, but made no difference to Neil given the casual mathematics applied in golf. However, although Neil is looking deliriously happy in the photograph, it is not because three-quarters of 2 is 1.5 rounded up to 2, but because Bedford Hotel owner Colin Pyne has promised to partner him in next year's event. A marvellous gesture from Colin, who was clearly influenced by the emotion of the occasion. He doesn't share his golfing experience and expertise with just anybody you know, although Mark Thomas did well to hide his disappointment at not being chosen by the great man.Second prize went to David Burgess and Neil Faulkner with 43 points, and George Carr partnering Kym White took third prize on 42 points. Colin Macklin and Paddy Tallon carded 41 points for fourth, and Matt Squires and Jay Thorne were fifth on the same total but edged out by a countback. Maureen Howard and Margot Beauchamp won first prize for the ladies with 36 Stableford points. Both contributed well to the score, with Maureen off 17 making the running on the front nine and Margot off 21 picking up most points on the way back. Their strong finish also gave them the edge in a countback, as Julie Lye (10) and Marie Timms (18) also carded 36 points but had to settle for second.