Sidmouth Vallance Cup success for Bater

Saturday saw the Vallance Cup ‘up for grabs’ at Sidmouth Golf Club, writes John Barnard.

It is one of the few stableford competitions off the white tees.

There were other competitions going on away from the club so the start sheet wasn’t as big as it may have been.

One of those competitions was the East Devon league and two that played in this came back to the club and took the two top spots in the competition; obviously just warming up while they were away (although they did win their match).

In pride of place was David Bater, continuing his great form over most of the summer. He won easily with 40 points. Three birdies in the first six holes set him up for an excellent round of golf. Mark Thomas showed age is no barrier to playing two rounds in a day and scored 37 points.

A fairly average round was suddenly rescued by birdying holes 17 and 18 and this meant he edged in front of landlord Chris Ward who had the same score. As they played late, it looked like Mark had won, but David, almost the last man out, pipped him in the end.