A golfer certainly tends to be an optimist, writes Charles Oram.

After a round of shanks, hooks, slices, fluffed chips and missed putts, he convinces himself that the next time he will play like Tiger Woods and carry off the club championship.

When clammy fog enveloped the Sidmouth course last Thursday morning, it seemed inevitable that the seniors’ match against Dainton Park (near Newton Abbot), scheduled for 1pm, would be cancelled.

However, the two team captains conferred by telephone and decided that some positive thinking was in order.

Hence the Dainton Park players found themselves in Sidmouth at 12.30, peering into the fog from the first tee, scarcely able to see the flag.

The flag in question was that on the nearby 18th green, since - even with rose-tinted spectacles - the first green was well out of sight.

Behold! At 1pm the fog lifted on cue and the sun peeped through the haze. A much relieved Nigel Sharp, Sidmouth captain for the day, led off his team - like Moses leading the children of Israel through the Red Sea after the waters had parted. Playing with Chris Ashley, fresh from his victory at the Seniors’ Open, the pair won a tight match on the last hole.

Ray Gunston and Ian Brown were obviously in a hurry to get to the clubhouse as they romped home six and four4.

Peter Emery’s smart new driver was briefly available to the highest bidder after Emery miscued his tee shot on the first hole! However, he and his partner, Alan Billinghurst, recovered to prevail three and two. Mike Fisher and the seemingly ubiquitous Les Pratt won two and one - as did the pairings of Hugh Dorliac and John Hicks, and of Brian Cole and Bob Johnston. Johnston also bagged the bottle of wine for being nearest the 18th pin in two.

The Dainton Park team may have lost every single match, but - the fog having dispersed - they were at least able to admire the beauty of the Sidmouth course and the wonderful views over Lyme Bay. You’ve got to look on the bright side of life!