Saturday’s event at Sidmouth was the Digger Cup, writes John Barnard.

It is an unusual format, only played once per annum but it is a good challenge and some would like to see it more often. Depending on one’s handicap, a par (or net par) scores a zero. A birdie or net birdie is a plus and a bogie or net bogie scores a minus. So, on a par four, a three is a plus, a five is a minus, but so is a six, seven or eight, so a completely disastrous hole doesn’t mess up one’s card.

Taking advantage was Matthew Bavington who scored a plus two to win on countback from Ian Bright His birdie on the 18th hole was just enough to beat Ian who had a very strong, consistent back nine, but not quite good enough.

A frustrated Lester Willmington was in third. Lester was going ‘great guns’ over the back nine picking up a number of pluses along the way, but a poor 18th cost him a victory which would have been his second in this competition. No doubt he was getting tired having played a lot of golf the week before!