Dartmouth spirits couldn’t be dampened on captain’s away day

DARTMOUTH ladies have worked out how to summon rain for a drought-stricken county - organise the lady captain’s away day!

Sure enough, as the ladies arrived at Staddon Heights, the manager warned that visibility was marginal and the course might be closed. Although visibility did clear, the rain clouds didn’t and the ladies were given a good soaking.

At captain Shelley Durrans’ request, the theme was “Where’s Wally?” and there were plenty of them around to grace the fairways. The competition was played as a Bramble, with all four players in the team taking a tee shot, the best one chosen and all players then playing their own ball from there.

Thankfully, all teams managed to get decent tee shots away so there were some good scores.

Jodie Kenyon in particular was hitting some long shots - as one group prepared to ring a bell as they left the green to let the following group know that it was ok to play their second shot, Jodie was already identifying her tee shot very close to the green.

Her playing partners were taking full advantage, so it was no surprise that she was part of the winning team along with Marilyn Lucas, Tina Scanlan and Mary Thompson. The winning score was 105 points. Just behind was the team of SJ Chick (welcome back), Chris Mushens, Jules Vincent and Anne Woodward with 104 points.

It was a lovely day in spite of the rain - many thanks to Lady Captain Shelley for organising the day and the much-appreciated prizes.

The men’s midweek Stableford had a fairly small field but an extensive range of scores.

First-time medal player Nathan Finch finished third with a nett 73, beaten on countback by Steve Maris whilst John Grattan led the way after carding a 70.

As the months progress, a number of the summer knockouts are reaching their conclusion.

First up was the Rocket House Trophy, a Mixed Greensomes. Finalist Barrie O’Shea presented the trophy to the club with his late wife Chris, so the match had a particular meaning for him. Sadly, in spite of a lovely chip in on eight and some great play by partner Tina Scanlan, it was insufficient to get the better of Brian and Chris Mushens, who won the match and the trophy 5&3.

In the Bridgetown Trophy, the men’s pairs knockout, Rob Barrett and John Oldrieve appeared to be in the driving seat, being two up on the sixteenth tee. Steve Blackie and Paul Brown proceeded to win all of the final three holes to claim the title in unlikely circumstances.

Golfers dream of the day when all parts of their golf come together in a single game. For the fortunate few, it happens on a sunny day, playing with friends and in a competition where it matters. Steve Maris found himself in that position in Saturday’s Mixed Stableford.

A number of players had 22 points at the end of the front nine but it’s what happens after that walk through the car park that determines bragging rights.

Steve came home with an even better score and topped the leaderboard on 47 points, followed in Division Two by Tim Enticknap (40pts). Adrian Rendle won Division One, also with 40 points, one ahead of Robin Steer.

The Dartmoor League team continued their strong form with a 4-1 home win over Exeter on Sunday. Dartmouth are currently top of League One - other teams have games in hand but it’s still a good place to be.

Two couples who are or have been part of Dartmouth GC for many years have been celebrating very special days with messages from the King and Queen. For Mary and David Thompson, current players, it was a Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

Still very much playing golf - Mary was part of the President’s squad - they celebrated 60 years of marriage with family and friends.

For Thelma and Tony Lobb, no longer playing, it was a quieter but equally special day, celebrating their Platinum Anniversary - 70 years. Perhaps golf plays a part in longevity and good relations!

The marathon senior’s cup concluded on Monday, August 24, with the final round of five of which the best three net gross scores count.

Paul Harding was the leader ahead of this conclusive round by six shots and it would need an exceptional score from one of the few challengers who, on paper, could catch him.

Standard handicap protocols were in place as 38 players set off from the championship blues.

Paul Harding was again on top form as he took both the cup and round five as outright winner. A very steady round from the new champion to win this event by a shot and the cup by five. Very well done sir!

In the gusty conditions there were notable rounds too from Messrs Graham, Reeve, Raspin, Whitelaw & Bonser who each found their way onto the top table.

Paul Harding shot a nett 68 on the day, followed by Desmond Graham (69), George Reeve (69), Dean Raspin (70), Michael Whitelaw (71), Gary Bonser (71) and Division Two’s runner-up Mark Gannon (72).

Birdie twos were recorded by David Allenby, Gary Bonser, Geoffrey Jewell, George Reeve, David Sparks and Mark Whitworth.

Competition guru Nigel Osborne was on hand to count them all back.

The final Senior’s Cup standings had Paul at the summit with a total of 210 nett, then Michael Whitelaw (215) and Dean Raspin (216).

Dartmouth seniors suffered another disappointing result in the third leg of South Devon Senior’s League at Dainton Park. Only two league points were achieved making a total of 10 overall. They now lie 14 points behind leaders Tiverton with two legs to go.

In the Millennium Trophy at Libbaton, sponsored by the Devon Mens Veteran Association, Messrs Pretty, Osborne & Toone finished a creditable eighth with a nett 62 just four shots adrift of the outright winners.

Mark Mitchell booked his spot in the Blight Trophy final by defeating Kevin Bradley whilst Andrew Dix and David Sparks exited the Perring Cup in the semis at the hands of Paul Marels and Kevin Matthews.