Low scores required to secure silverware at Thurlestone Golf Club

THURLESTONE Golf Club’s men played for the Allcomers Cup on Sunday, August 2, in ideal weather conditions.

The winner of the Allcomers Cup was Malcolm Frank with a wonderful score of 42 points. Second was Nick Crispin with 41 and third Ken Riley with 40 points. Malcolm Frank is pictured alongside Ken Riley.

Meanwhile, the big news is that Thurlestone’s men have reached the semi-final of the Devon Golf Parker Trophy and have to play Torquay at Yelverton on Sunday, August 30, at 8.30 am.

If they beat them, they will be in the final of the Parker Trophy at Yelverton in the afternoon. If you are free that day, go along and support them!

On Monday, August 3, the ladies Devon League team played a match against Dainton and lost on another hot dry day with a breeze on higher areas of Dainton frazzled fairways.

Ball run was a challenge indeed for some but mainly the two foursomes they played behind. Several of them added to the lost ball tally whilst hanging on to matches for as long as possible.

Sadly, Dainton’s home advantage pulled through and Thurlestone lost their most enjoyable matches with a score of 4.5 points to nine.

How lucky they have been to have such glorious weather? Thurlestone ladies have one more league game on September 8.

The men’s midweek Stableford competition on Tuesday, August 3 had 59 entries and the top spot went to Owen Rees (27) with 44 points from Harry Cattell (43) and Mike Day (42). There were eight birdie twos and junior member Jacob Brooker got two of them on the third and sixth holes, congratulations to all who scored a birdie.

31 ladies played a medal competition on Wednesday, August 5, for two trophies. The Duchess Cup is awarded to the best nett score in Division One. The Junior Cup is awarded to the best nett score in Division Two. A maximum playing handicap limit of 43 applies to the Junior Trophy.

The winner in Division One and of the Duchess Cup was Jan Brooking with nett 72 from Anna McGrath and Jane Mason both nett 73.

Jane Mahood then scored a nett 74 to claim the Division Two spoils and the Junior Cup, from Sheila Fairley nett 77. There were three birdie twos; congratulations to Jennifer Roberts, Jane Mason and Maggie Best.

Jan and Jane are pictured alongside each other after their respective successes.

News from the juniors section is that Martha Massingham has just played her first Inter Counties tournament for the Devon under 18 girls team.

She played foursomes on every day of the competition, winning two matches and halving one. In the match against Gloucestershire the new Devon partnership of Martha Massingham (Thurlestone) and Toamasina Miali (Saunton), produced a superb performance, cruising to a convincing 6&4 victory.

Martha did really well and Thurlestone golf members are really pleased for her and send congratulations.

An update on the quarterfinals of the Sheelah Creasy, which saw Thurlestone take on Saunton at Staddon Heights. Thurlestone took part in the quarter finals as the second runner up.

Somewhat to our consternation the seeded draw put us up against Saunton, the winners of the division in which we took part. We knew from experience what a very tough team they are, with several ex-Presidents or Still Cup players taking part.

It was also quite daunting to be announced on the first tee! However, everyone set off in good spirits to do their best on a beautiful day with perfect weather conditions for golf.

Staddon, like Thurlestone, is suffering from parched fairways but the greens were verdant, though somewhat slower than ours. And what about the golf?

Sheila George and Helen Baker won their greensomes match 5&4 and despite being last out, were first in. Gill Markham and Jenny Bates were playing well, being 2-down on the 16th, but were called in as the match was over.

This was because all the singles matches lost - Fiona Turner, against Steph Long, only just lost. It went to the very last putt, which she sadly missed. Nikki Smith and Sheila Fairley both lost 3&2.

Sheila Fairley (captain) thanks all the team members for their unwavering support and to the caddies, who gave of their time willingly to keep us all on track.

A SENIOR’S fun Stableford was the latest challenge on Monday, August 10. Standard mid handicap protocols were in place from a mixture of white, blue & red tees.

37 players were in the field in what has become the normal bone hard conditions. The winner ‘Radar’ Roy Baldwin continued his excellent form after last week’s win with a gross 76 equating, to 45 stableford points. This included ten pars and three birdies. Some target shooting Roy!

He was closely followed into the house by Flying Scot Alistair Forbes who carded the best gross of the day, a 75 but with a lower handicap had to be content with second place.

Kevin Bradley, who is improving steadily, took the Division Two spoils with 40 points just ahead of Bernard Young.

Steve Atkins (37) and Paul Harding (36) also carded strong scores.

Holes four, 10 & 15 played most difficult while two, five and 18 were easier. While there were some excellent scores the course takes no prisoners and many struggled in what has become a real battle.

Birdie twos were scored by Michael Whitelaw, Ian Broom & David Thompson all at the fifth.

Nigel ‘Ozzie’ Osborne counted them all back with his customary precision. Our usual thanks to him.

Next week sees a qualifying handicap competition. Look out for the report.