THIS week’s senior competition at Dartmouth Golf Club was run in a circus format, underpinned by qualifying Stableford scoring.

Prizes were awarded for overall divisional placings as well as best front nine and back nine. The competition was played from the blue tees with the usual 95% course handicap allowance.

A field of 30 players took on a challenging day for scoring: strong winds and tricky pin positions kept everyone honest.

Despite the testing conditions, there were standout displays from Gary Bonser and Mark Whitworth, both peppering their cards with pars and birdies. In the end, it was Bonser who led the way, topping the table with a superb 38 points.

Mark had 36, followed by Bernard Young (35pts), Mark Mitchell (34pts), David Sparks (33pts) and Keith Moffitt (33pts).

Keith won the front nine with 20, a total matched by Desmond Graham, before Gary led the back nine on 21 points.

Birdie twos were scored by Alistair Forbes on hole three and Keith Moffitt on hole five.

A word of appreciation to Nigel Osborne, who kept everything in order with his customary due diligence in the countback.

Elsewhere, the seniors’ latest match saw Dartmouth host China Fleet Seniors, following on from a 3–3 draw earlier in the season away from home. On a windy, wet afternoon, the contest again proved evenly matched.

Highlights included Gordon Kidd & Andy Dykes, who turned in Dartmouth’s strongest performance with a commanding 5&4 win. Mario Aresti claimed the nearest-the-pin prize at hole 3, earning himself a well-deserved bottle of wine.

The overall match ended in another draw, 3–3, meaning the two clubs finish level across the home-and-away series at 6–6. Well done to all who played.

Looking ahead now and next week brings a Stableford qualifier.