THE Tee to Tea Trophy presents a quite different challenge for Dartmouth GC ladies - for those willing to take the challenge!

Rather than the usual red tees, if players choose to use the designated alternative, which can be blue, white or gold, then their Stableford points are doubled.

On this occasion, the majority of ladies accepted the challenge on every hole and one was heard to comment that she didn’t know why the men claimed that particular tees were difficult - this said after she parred four holes and birdied the ninth.

Jules Vincent found many right lines and won the trophy with 56 points. Anne Woodward was in second with 52, on countback from Chris Mushens.

On the Dartmouth course, the ladies were playing a straightforward Stableford. Sharon Jones set the pace with 22 points on the front nine and took the win with her 38pts total, once clear of Barbara Dally.

In the men’s midweek Stableford, the top five all scored in the 40s.

Eleven pars, an eagle and 40 points would normally be sufficient for a win, but John Oldrieve found himself in second place in Division One. He was beaten on countback by Andy Birss, who managed a 21-point back nine in spite of a blob on the eighteenth.

Rob Isaacs-Berry led Division Two with 41 points, ahead of Steve Atkins and Phil Brooking, both on 40.

The main weekend competition was the Hitchens Salver Gold Medal, presented by the original owners, Ralph and Joan Hitchens.

History shows that the lowest winning score had been nett 68 - that record was well and truly broken by Roger Mawson, who parred eleven holes, had birdies on a further two and finished with nett 64. Congratulations Roger.

Medal golf from the gold tees isn’t easy, so honourable mentions for the other under par scores - Mark Collins and Rob Haddy (68), Rob Barrett (69), Edd Mitchell and Jeremy Kenyon (71).

Reflecting the course conditions, the Mixed Stableford was again high scoring. Kevin Bradley was heard celebrating his birdie on the eighteenth - it was worth the shout as it gave him 43 points and a one-point victory over Paul Stubbs.

Players from across the South West were welcomed to the Mixed Team Open on Sunday. Conditions were trickier with a strong wind adding another dimension to the bounce and roll of the fairways.

Scores were lower than in previous years, but still very respectable. Chris Gingell, Paul Jennings, Paul Prendergast and Nick Gibbons from Cricket St Thomas Golf Club were worthy winners with 88 points, just one point ahead of the chasing pack.

Teams from mixed clubs came next - Beccy Barrett, Malcolm Barrett (Dartmouth), Jolyon Lugg (Churston) and Nick Lugg (iGolf) finished second with 86 points, beating Nigel Harris, Jamie Parsons, Dean Pidgeon (Downes Crediton) and Alan Smith (Woodbury Park) on countback.

Congratulations also to Neil Kelly from Sherborne who scored his first Hole-in-One on the seventh. Given the windy conditions, Neil had taken a driver from the tee and believed it had gone long - after searching for a while, his playing partners suggested checking the hole and there it was! Smiles all round.

Many members of the club gathered at St George’s Church in Dittisham to say farewell to longstanding member Peter Forde. Anyone unable to attend who wishes to commemorate Pete can make a donation to Rowcroft Hospice.