Thurlestone Golf Club

Thurlestone has seen many celebrity golfers over the years and few have proved more welcome than West Indies cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, who turned up looking for a game – and found several members eager to play with him writes Lincoln Shaw.

Vice captain Norman Barrett came across Sir Viv in the clubhouse accompanied by Rodney Hogg, the former Australian cricket star. The pair had been to Plymouth for a speaking engagement and decided to try out the course they had been told was the finest in Devon.

Norman called on assistant professional Anthony Buchanan to make up a fourball and they enjoyed a game that included many good shots and much banter.

'A true gentleman' was their verdict on Sir Viv who, with a handicap of seven, is nearly as good with a golf club as he is with the bat.

It has been quite a week for young Anthony, who went to Crediton to play in the Devon County PGA winter medal and came away with third prize. His score of 70 was two behind winner Dan Hendrikson from Churston.

Anthony was hailed at the prize giving as 'one of the county's up and coming stars'.

Thurlestone ladies saw a turn out of 57 players in a stableford competition that saw no fewer than six players reduce their handicaps.

Division One winner Wendy Laud, with 40 points, goes down one shot to five.

She finished two points clear of Jenny Roberts (3) and seven in front of third place Heather Spencer (12).

Janet Richardson (22) with 38 points pipped Jane Edmonds (25) for first place in Division Two on countback and both reduced their handicaps by two shots.

Linda Cant (20) was third with 37.

Division Three carried the added incentive of the Tregelles Trophy for the winner and it was secured by Inger Reeve (33) with 37 points.

Ann Williams (33) was second, one point behind, and Stephanie Ashton (31) third with 33.

Fify-four ladies entered the 'twos' sweep with Shona Wilson and Wendy Russell taking home £13.50 each.

Off the field the clubhouse was packed for the club's annual meeting and there was a long and fierce discussion of several important but controversial proposals, affecting the future of the course. The final vote was against radical change but left several matters still to be resolved.

There was no controversy, however, about the election of former captain and long-time stalwart Julian Tregelles as club president and he was given a warm welcome when he took over what promised to be a rather hot seat.

Norman Barrett was elected captain and will take over on January 1 with Mervyn Spencer as his deputy. Peter Hartley is the new club chairman with Brian Munn as greens committee chairman and Roger Brownill house chairman.