In the opening round of the Streatham Trophy - the first of four legs played over the winter - golfing brothers Chris and Paul Lewis led the way with an impressive 44 stableford points followed closely by Mick Baden and Don Cooper, Malcolm Willoughby and Paul Renkin, Will Hastie and Mark Bosence all a shot behind on 43 points, writes George Carr.

Last year’s winners, Martin White and Bob Webber, were well in touch with 41 points. In fact, in this keenly-fought winter contest, 17 were within five shots of the leaders and, with three legs still to go, competitors can look forward to many a change on the leader board until the finalists emerge sometime in March 2013.

Among these changes, I suspect, may well be the names of two young golfers who played in their first Sidmouth Golf Club competition as members when they teed off at mid-day on Saturday in company with two rather more senior members, Peter Spooner and George Carr.

Students Peter Crocombe and Ed Willis, playing off eight and 12 respectively, are both at Exeter University studying French and, after playing many of the very good golf clubs with which Devon abounds over the summer, decided that Sidmouth was the one for them; not only for its challenging contours and stunning scenic sea views but, also, for the friendly welcome they were afforded there. Both players hit the ball impressively long (five irons to the back of the 11th green for instance) and although six shots off the lead it was only the subtleties of the Sidmouth greens that kept them in check, something I am sure they will come to terms with over the winter.

Sadly, the winter fourball scheduled for last Sunday was cancelled because of the very wet conditions. Better luck next week chaps.