On Saturday, the players at Sidmouth Golf Club competed for the Deane Medal, writes John Barnard.

Played over three Divisions, it is an individual medal competition.

Medals can be brutal, 16 great holes and then two disasters can wreck the card so concentration from beginning to end is needed.

Steve Crabb won Division One with a nett 66. A triple bogie on hole six and then a double bogie on seven looked like he was in trouble, but then a number of pars held the round together. Martyn White was second with a nett 67.

Off his handicap of two, he didn’t need a double bogie which he scored on hole 14, but it was the only blemish on an otherwise excellent back nine of one under gross.

Third was Neil Holland who will be pleased with his four birdies, but not the four bogies.

Terry O’Brien won Division Two, but only on countback from Bob Webber who proved the worth of having lessons during the winter.

Terry had a slow start, four bogies and a double in the first five holes wasn’t needed, but he then steadied up and nine pars kept him ahead.

Bob managed two birdies, including one on the 18th, but he dropped a few shots over the last few holes to cost him a win. Tony Crow was third with a nett 67.

In Division Three, Sam Searle will be surprised and delighted to have won.

Struggling with an injury for a number of years, his handicap has steadily gone north, but he managed his way round to a nett 71, to win on countback from Nigel Sharp. John Nicolle was third with a nett 73.