Bigbury Golf Club
The Bigbury men continued their very fine run of form, with their men’s Palairet team winning their first fixture three and two writes Marlene Johnson.
This important match took place at Churston Golf Club, and the opponents were Teign Valley.
It was a beautiful day with little wind, but even so nerves were evident and it is reported that some less than perfect shots were played by both sides.
Most of the games started evenly. However, the first Bigbury pairings of Steve Inch and Darren Mutton plus Ben Guest and Paul Kingwell, pulled away with both winning three and two.
A good start, but the next two games were lost, so it was down to the last pairing. Jed Spedding and Jake Pepperal were one down with four to play, but by the 18th hole were one up and managed to halve, albeit with a bogey, giving Bigbury the win.
You may well ask who is the lady golfer in the picture. Well, it is the ladies’ vice captain Jane Wain.
At very short notice, Jane was called up to step in as captain for this men’s team. A most challenging and interesting happening, which Jane both rose to and much enjoyed. We are wondering is this a first for Bigbury?
There was a great atmosphere among the Bigbury team, as well as the members who had gone along in support.
Indeed, there was a strong feeling that the Bigbury golf spirit was alive and well. Next up is the Sidmouth Golf Club Palairet team, with the match to be played at Exeter Golf and Country Club on June 3. All the Bigbury members wish their team the very best for this important match.
A turnout of 42 men played in the midweek medal on Wednesday, May 16. The winner with a good net 70 was John Thornton (handicap 17); in joint second with net 72s were Dick Jemmett and John Glover. John Thornton and John Glover scored a two on the third hole, and both had their handicaps cut by one shot.
On Sunday there was the men’s stableford, and this was won by Nick Hanbury (16) with a good 38 points. In joint second place were John Simes (26) and Eddie Inch (13). Unusually, there were no twos recorded in this competition.
Over the weekend of May 12/13, at Royal North Devon Golf Club, Bigbury player Amanda Burchell, with her handicap of four, competed in the Devon County Ladies’ Championships.
It is most pleasing to report that Amanda did incredibly well, winning the Phillis Collett Memorial Bowl (for the best handicap score), as well as a semi-final coaster.
In her semi-final, Amanda took her opponent (from Okehampton) to the 22nd hole in a mammoth and extremely competitive match. Amanda reports she had a great weekend, playing in excellent weather. Bigbury Golf Club are very proud of her.
On Saturday, May 12, 24 ladies played in the England Golf Medal 3, and the Challenge Cup.
The overall winner with a very good 75 (the CSS for the round), was Sue Warren (27) and congratulations to her.
In joint second with 76 points were Caroline Hallett (20) and Janet Burton (26). Two ladies recorded a two on the 17th hole, Jane Rickman and Cathy Harrington.
Some 21 ladies took part in the Thursday ladies’ extra stableford on May 17.
Continuing her recent very fine form, the winner with an excellent 39 points was Faye Pannell (23). As a result of her score, Faye has had her handicap cut by two shots. In second place with 34 points was Jane Wain (21), the ladies‘ vice captain. Both Faye and Jane recorded a two, Jane on the 15th and Faye on the 17th.
On Friday, the ladies’ President’s team travelled to Westward Ho! to play their match against Royal North Devon.
This was always going to be a difficult away match and Bigbury lost 51/2 to 11/2, but the weather was reported as being ideal for golf.
As reported last week, Jess Leach, our junior captain, was looking forward to playing for the Devon Girls Team in the Tyler Trophy. Bigbury was also represented in the Devon ladies’ second team by Amanda Burchell.
The match was played on Sunday, May 20, at the Dawlish Warren Golf course.
The weather held dry, but was unfortunately overcast. As always, this match was played in the best of good spirits, with the Devon girls retaining the trophy by four games to two. There were some tight and hard games played.