The Charles Stanley Monday Stableford at Sidmouth was won this week by Simon Emerson with a remarkable 41 points, writes John Barnard.

Scoring well has proved difficult all April, but Simon had a great back nine of 23 points, including a two on the very difficult par three 14th.

His handicap has been reduced by two shots as a result. It meant he won by three shots from John (Jonesy) Jones. John had a remarkable seven birdies in his round but will regret ‘blobbing’ the 17th. He had just birdied 15 and 16 and then birdied 17 for what would have bean a fantastic back nine, but for the 17th. His handicap is now down to two!

The great back nine meant he was second on countback, forcing Moray (Minty) Bosence into third place with his 38 points. Minty started with four pars and was heading for a great back nine as well, running off a series of pars from the 11th to the 18th except he didn’t score on 14 which cost him.

Jonesy’s good play meant he has moved to 55 on the eclectic, just leading Jonathan Lee. In the birdie count He has rocketed ahead and now has 18 birdies this year, a remarkable six ahead of Lewis Perry