Over 100 Sidmouth Golf Club members turned out for Ben Thorn’s first Professional Day competition, writes John Rockey.

Ben has only recently come to the club and agreed to organise, with the help of Kevin Harper, the better ball pairs Stableford competition to mark his appointment.

Both ladies’ and gent’s pairs were on show on a day which threatened showers which never materialised, so good playing conditions were once again enjoyed by the large field.

The winners were the pairing of Luke Sheppard and Moray Boscence with the best score of the day on 44 points. This pair were always potential winners but, as both have similar games built on hitting the ball long distances, they must have come to some arrangement to ensure that at least one of them would hit it straight on each hole. Obviously this cunning plan worked. Moray has been in the winners’ enclosure a couple of times this year already and must be a prime candidate for the handicapper’s attention.

Just behind, in second place, were Neil Holland and Michael Knight with 43 points. Michael was heard to remark in the club house afterwards that his normal game had deserted him for the round and for once he played quite consistently without too many treks into the undergrowth.

Third, also on 43 points, on a countback, were the dangerous pairing of Bob Welsman and Colin Macklin. Bob, who has been on a diet recently, must have benefited from the loss of a few ounces as he was left on his own for a couple of holes by Colin, presumably to make the maximum use of all his shot allowance.

Fourth on 42 points were club manager Jonathon Lee and David Roberts. Jonathon is rarely out of the prizes lately and the handicap committee’s axe could well fall on him again in the near future. The pairing of Barry Venn and Howard Cushing, also with 42 points, were just moved into fifth place, again on a countback, but must have been delighted to be on the leader board for the first time as they are relatively new members to the club.

In the ladies’ competition, the strong pairing of Marie Timms and Julie Lye won a tight struggle from the rest of the ladies’ field with a score of 36 points. They were followed closely on 35 points by Sheila Thomson and Yvonne Anning, who once again got into the prizes. Lady Captain Sheila Skittrall and Margaret Thompson were third on 33 points.