The Sidmouth Seniors Open was played under blue skies on a superb course in fine trim due to the excellent endeavours of the Greenkeeping staff, writes Chris Grubb.

There was a tremendous entry of 112 players, to include the largest contingent of visiting players ever to participate.

The Winners, and therefore the first to have their names engraved on the new Seniors Open cut glass trophy were the pairing of Tony Stoyle and Bruce Harcourt who returned a score of 44 points.

It was a close encounter for challengers, and eventual runners-up, Trevor Kerridge and Lester Wilmington missed out on the very last hole! Third were John Bainbridge and Coulston Herbert with 42 points and fourth place went to Tony Crow and David Ash with 41.

In terms of the visiting players, the winners, who also received the Sidmouth Seniors’ coveted Silver Salver, were John White and David Morris (Woodbury and Sidmouth) with a score of 39 points. Second were Des Denning and Bob Taylor (Lyme Regis) with 38 whilst Wareham duo Tim Green and John Beasley took third with 37 points and that was also the number of points for fourth placed Axe Cliff pairing Gerald Turner and John Pugh.

Seniors’ captain, David Bromage, thanked all players, both home and visiting, for supporting the event making it such a success.

He added how grateful he was to his great ‘back-up’ team in the form of the seniors’ committee of vice captain Hugh Dorliac, Bruce Harcourt, Treasurer David Atkinson and Bob Winstone. For all the tremendously work, not only on the day but in the build-up.

He continued by thanking all the other helpers on the day, the starters, parking supervisors, the wonderful lady ball spotters and card result officials and caterers.

The seniors open was supported in sponsorship from the Sidmouth Garden Centre, the Riviera Hotel, Sidmouth and the Natural Wellness Clinic of Tiverton and the Seniors themselves.

Club captain, John Barnard expressed his welcome to visitors and spoke of the improvements being made to the course and congratulated the seniors on such a fine Open.