It was Matchplay finals weekend at Sidmouth Golf Club, the culmination of a whole season of knockout matches amongst club members, writes John Barnard.

Big prizes and prestige were available to the winners, to relive over the long winter months.

On Sunday, the first match was the Challenge Cup final between Stuart Coles and two time previous winner John Jones.

This event has the largest entry across the club and is the competition title most valued amongst members.

It was a close match throughout. On the front nine, John kept edging in front, only to be pegged back by Stuart. A birdie on the ninth by Stuart meant that it was all square at the turn. Another birdie on the 10th and, from thereon, Stuart was never quite pegged back and a fourth birdie in nine holes on the 17th gave him a two and one victory.

For those knocked out in the first round of the Challenge Cup (half of us!), a new competition was introduced this year, the Challenge Cup Plate and the inaugural winner was Matt Bavington, who had an excellent close game against Duncan Taylor. Duncan was probably still ‘on a high’ after beating Neil Holland in the Scratch Cup the day before. Three shots worse in handicap, Duncan surprised the favourite, putting really well leading to an unexpected but popular win for this club stalwart.

Other victories included Club captain Ray Gunstan who won the Burgoyne Cup. Sheila Skittrall won the Willcock Cup and Colin Macklin won the Seniors Cup. It might have been a quiet night in the Tallon household as Paddy won the Greenwood Trophy with Liz Chance (triumphing over his wife Sheila although she has been victorious in the past in this competition).

It was an excellent weekend of golf, played with great enthusiasm and skill.

Sadly, it means the winter season is drawing ever nearer.