Sidmouth B Team is a social side within the golf club for those with handicaps between 10 and 28, writes Steve Milton.

The team plays around a dozen friendly, but competitive, matches each season, against other local clubs, usually followed by a meal and the occasional shandy.

The B Team is a great way for newer members to meet other players and to enjoy some of the exceptional social facilities offered by the club.

The team celebrated their end of their season with an ‘open to all’ competition to ensure that the highest number of players could enjoy the magnificent autumnal sunshine. Who would have believed that we would be playing in shorts and T-shirts on November 29!

The format was stableford in teams of three with two scores to count, but with a twist. The team were given a yellow ball to be played alternately by each player with that ball carrying double points for the hole. However, if the yellow ball was lost, there would be no more double points for the team. To ensure maximum points, the objective was therefore to hang on to the yellow ball as long as possible and with some inventive tactics, only two of thirteen team balls were lost on the day.

Winning first prize was club president Trevor Kerridge partnered by Bob Skelly and Roger Freer with 123 points.

Trevor is renowned for his partner picking abilities and he certainly hit a rich seam this week. In second place were club stalwarts Neil Faulkner, Mark Thomas, and David Burgess with 121 points. Kevin Howe, Martin Crockett, and Graham Davies finished third with 119 points.

There were also prizes for nearest the pin on the fourth hole won by Keith Newton, and the 12th by Paul Renken. Paul’s shot finished only inches from the pin narrowly avoiding a costly ‘hole in one’ drinks bill in the crowded bar after the competition had finished.