Thurlestone Golf Club
The ladies sent two teams to Bigbury on Monday and received a good welcome but some strong opposition. The president’s team led by Wendy Stewart narrowly lost by four matches to three writes Liz Line.
At the start they thought they would freeze in a biting wind, but soon temperatures rose and they were able to shed some layers and to swing more freely!
Every match was close, with some excellent golf on both sides. Thurlestone winners were Gill Hicks 3/2, captain Wendy Stewart won one up. Heather Spencer and Liz Stewart (playing against her old club) halved their matches.
The Sheelah Creasy team for handicaps 21-36 lost by 41/2 matches to 21/2 the winning ladies were team captain Sheila George 4/3, Gill Markham 4/2 and Gwen Hale halved.
Forty-five men entered the seniors medal competition on Tuesday and some very low scores were recorded.
The overall winner was Richard Cordy (20) with net 68 and a handicap reduction to 19. In second place was Graeme Fairley (7) net 69 and a reduction to six. In third place was Jim Mitchell (17) net 70. There were four twos, all on the third hole.
The ladies’ medal and Betty Ord Cup was played in very difficult weather with very strong winds.
The winner in division one was Gill Hicks (13) with net 78, from Judith Lungmuss (19) 84, third Shona Wilson (16) 84. In division two the winner was Inger Reeve (25) 86, from Pam Ledger (26) 91. There was only one two, by Alison Adams on the sixth. The best eight net scores go through to a knockout competition to play for the Betty Ord Cup.
The Dartmoor League have started their campaign in fine fettle with an away draw to Teign Valley and home win against Honiton. Their next fixture is away to Bigbury.
The Parker Trophy team had a 2-1 victory over Staddon Heights at Bigbury and go through to the next round. The Palairet side started their campaign on Sunday against Saunton Artisans at Tavistock
Congratulations to Dave and Conner Eva, who won the Winter Foursomes Knockout Trophy by beating Tony Adams and John Mahood. A tribute to Thurlestone’s ground staff was paid by visiting captain Dave Ripping of Dainton after fighting out a 3-3 draw with the seniors.
He said: “In all the years I have been coming here, the course is in the finest condition I have ever seen.” Winning pairs for the home side were Chris Holmes and Derek Harwood one up, with Paul Dunne and Hywel Jones two and one.
Halves were achieved by Peter Coates and Ron Bancroft, followed by Bill Hutchison and Geoff Holt, while the less successful pairs, both losing three and two, were Patrick Robinson and Val Harder, plus Martin Eyre and Mike Allen. Nearest the pin prizes went to Patrick Robinson and visitor Les Molloy.
We said goodbye to our assistant professional Jack Wallace this week as he is leaving to pursue his online business interests.
Jack has been a valuable member of the pro shop team for four years and has played an important part in developing the Juniors Academy as well as helping many members to improve their game. We wish him the very best for his future career.
However, we now welcome his replacement. A PGA professional, Duncan Arnold has over 25 years experience and has introduced hundreds of adults and juniors to the game. Duncan will be assisting in the Pro shop and carrying out coaching and custom fitting for clubs.
Liz Hay and Lesley Saffin played in the first round of the county vets tournament against Fingle Glen at Tavistock and won on the 19th!
The men’s Palairet team won by three matches to two against Saunton Artisans at Tavistock on Sunday.
The winning pairs were captain Steve Pike and Darrell Day, James Mitchell and James Toogood, and Dave Eva and Dan Cunningham. Well done to the team.