It was Professional’s Day on Saturday at Sidmouth Golf Club, one of the big days in the golfing calendar, writes John Barnard.

The day was hosted by Trevor Greenslade and Ross Troake with a number of willing helpers and glorious weather to make this one of the most enjoyable days of the year.

The format was four person teams, with two scores to count on each hole off 90 per cent handicap with nearest the pins, drives nearest the line and a putting competition at the end to keep the interest up all the way.

Taking pride of place were the Billinghurst family, Alan, Sally and Susan, with the son-in-law, Jeremy Fox, to keep them in order.

They played really well to accumulate 89 points and won a top quality Taylor Made hybrid club each. It was only just enough points though, as the team of John Barnard, Lester Willmington, Greg Willmington (it obviously paid to have a family connection in the team) and Les Pratt also scored 89 points but they just came second on countback.

How they rued the sixth and 17th holes when points just slipped away. They were delighted with their second prize however, a pair of excellent footjoy shoes each.

In third place with 86 points were Moray Bosence, Aston Puckey, Alex Duckworth and Lawrence Hill winning a Taylor Made golf bag each. In fourth place were Kevin Legg, Roy Turner, Eric McMath and Doug Jones.

The winner of nearest the pin on hole fifteen was Aston Puckey, the 11th was Susan Billinghurst , nearest the line with their drive on the eighth was Greg Willmington (no doubt assisted by the early morning dew!) and Mark Thomas won the draw for the putting competition prize. Eighteen golfers were glad to get a ‘two’ as it won £9 for each one.