There was a general sigh of relief when Sidmouth golf course was fully opened in time for this year’s Turkey-Trot Christmas competition when members have a chance to win their Christmas dinner, though I doubt many turkeys were so relieved, writes George Carr.

The regular yuletide event always draws a large field and this year was no exception with 46 pairs teeing off on Saturday.

Well done Craig Melluish and Steve Milton who bagged the first turkey with 41 points on count-back from Paul and Chris Lewis also with 41 points who claimed the second bird. The prizes went right down to seventh place, on a sliding scale it must be presumed, and it is devoutly to be hoped that the prize for being seventh was not a homing pigeon!

There were some familiar names among the list of prize winners. The full list was; Steve Crabb and Will Hastie were third with 42 points, again on count back from two Mikes, Gosling and Dommett. Jonathon Lee and Mark Thomas came fifth on 41 points (no doubt the side bets will have paid for a larger turkey) in sixth place, Kevin Legg and Roy turner also with 41 points.

In seventh place (pigeon pie?) came Moray Bosence and Martin French.

First place among the lady members went to Julie Lye and Marie Timms with 37 points and in second spot Sheila Thomson and the omnipresent Yvonne Anning with 32 points - well done, and bon app�tit to you all. For the purists, ( I know you’re out there) prizes are usually cash vouchers and not nearly so much fun!

Meanwhile, were you a low, single handicapper playing on this past Sunday morning it is probable you would have would have needed to shoot a life-time best to get close to Simon Knowles’s 47 points, playing off 23, which won him top spot and �45 and no doubt a new handicap. Paul Shoobridge must have thought he had done enough carding 46 points; but had to settle for second place and �27 and likewise a new handicap.

Mark Thomas, with a handicap of five must have played close to scratch golf to card his 40 points and a hard earned �18, but no cigar!

Simon Knowles’s victory leaves him on top of the winter league with Moray Bosence a close second. Impressive golf all round chaps.