On Saturday, it was the most important competition of the winter at Sidmouth Golf Club, writes John Barnard.

The Turkey Trot has been played for a number of years and gives members the chance of winning the meat for their Christmas lunch (vouchers redeemable at local butchers, Drews of Sidbury!).

It’s all round to Yvonne Anning and Don Cooper’s house as they managed to win both the men’s and ladies prize.

Don was playing with Lee Wenham and they top scored with 44 points, 21 out, and 23 back.

Birdies on holes five and 13 were enough to get them ahead of four teams on 43 points.

In second place were Kevin Howe and Martin Crockett with a back nine of 23 points and a better back six holes which just got them ahead of the third place team Colin Macklin and Trevor Kerridge.

In fourth place, with a back nine of 22, were Steve Milton and John Barnard. Their slow start with two bogies in the first four holes came back to haunt them despite Steve birdying two of the par three’s.

In fifth place, were Neil Holland and Luke Sheppard who came back in 21 points.

In the ladies competition, Yvonne Anning and Mandy Furniss won convincingly with an excellent 41 points. In second place, were Susan Kackett and Andrea Milton, who on the long par three twelfth, probably hit the shot of the day to within five feet (much nearer than her husband’s shot!) scoring 39 points.