PERHAPS the least popular tournament for the ladies at Dartmouth Golf Club is the Glendevon Trophy.

Played over two rounds in the Spring and Autumn, it’s the unforgiving Par/Bogey format that keeps it at the lower end of the enjoyment scale. The overall results aren’t immediately available as ladies can improve their Spring score, so even a half on a previously lost hole can make a big difference.

Marilyn Lucas was very unlucky with a good number of putts doing a full lap of honour round the hole but refusing to drop, which was reflected in her final score of -1. Jules Vincent had the best round of the day, holding the course to an overall draw, but it was third-placed Shelley Durrans who took the overall honours.

You can try to concentrate on improving the Spring losses but, as we all find, amateur golf isn’t always that reliable. For Shelley, it worked. Despite finishing with a -2 score this week, her new wins and halves were sufficient to further improve her +2 score to +7.

Jan Cousins had a miserable day, with her tee shots having a greater fondness for the rough or any hedge but still finished in second place overall with +4. Marilyn, ruing those cruel putts, was third with +3.

As with the ladies, the men’s season-long competitions are beginning to draw to a close, with the final round of the Gold Grand Prix on Saturday. Paul Marels held a seven-point lead at the start of play, but with sufficient points available for the top four places, nothing could be taken for granted.

In the event, the weather was dreadful and challengers were thin on the ground, though those who did play displayed some excellent golf.

Edd Mitchell delivered an exceptional 38 points, ahead of Matt Young on 35 and Jack Kirby on 33. Paul may have finished fourth on the day but this was more than good enough to take the overall Gold Grand Prix title.

This week’s seniors event was a non-qualifying Stableford played from alternate blue and red tees, with the usual handicap protocols in place. A healthy field of 28 took part.

Back in April, Robert Wotton won this format with an impressive 40 points only for a stiff breeze and some tricky pin positions to keep scoring in check.

The day belonged to John Merriam, a relative newcomer to the seniors’ scene. Despite a modest front nine of just 16 points, he stormed home with a superb inward half of 20 points to post 36 and take the honours.

In-form Mark Mitchell was just two points adrift in second, while Mark Whitworth claimed third with a solid gross 83, giving him 34 Stableford points.

Paul Harding (34pts), Alistair Forbes (33pts) and Gary Bonser (33pts) all came close.

It was a fine day’s golf, with enough challenge to keep everyone on their toes!

Competition guru Nigel Osborne once again handled the countback – thanks, as always, to him. The only birdie two of the day came from David Sparks at the 18th.

Meanwhile, the Perring Cup pairs knockout competition drew to a close with Mark Mitchell and Paul Harding securing the title, beating Roy Baldwin and Brian Mushens at the final hurdle.

Next week brings the John Gutteridge Memorial Tournament and the senior captain’s away day at Oake Manor.