Thurlestone Golf Club

Did you miss me last week? asks Lincoln Shaw.

Probably not, but it was annoying because I had my column all ready, waiting for one more result, when a sudden domestic emergency sent us hurtling off to hospital.

Happily a false alarm, but by the time we got back home the golf deadline had passed and all you got was a short agency report that had none of my golden words.

Which means I need plenty of space this week, so let’s get on with it. Starting with the men’s April medal and scratch play quali­fier on Sunday, which required real courage from the 21 players who turned out on a really tough, gale-force day.

With unusually high scores and not a single two. Top of the list was Rob Came, handicap four, with a gross 80, net 76, followed by Keith Crawford (5) just one shot in arrears.

Both first and second in division two passed the century mark, with David Fellowes (18) coming home with a net 84, winning on countback from Finn Whelan (17), who re­turned the same score.

The top eight scratch scores go forward to play off for the Scratch Matchplay Trophy.

Now for the ladies, who have been very busy on and off the course. For once the weather co-operated for the 33 players who turned out for the March medal. Division one winner was Jenny Roberts (2) with net 74, from runner-up Wendy Laud (6), net 76, and Sara Harkness (19) with the same score.

In division two the winner was Jill Beavis (24) with 72, from Liz Barker (29) with the same score and Gill Durden (21) on 74. There was only one two, on the 17th, by lady captain Yvonne Pike.

No fooling about on Friday, April 1, when the Thurlestone ladies’ Mail on Sunday team played Dainton Park, at home, in the third round of the knockout competition, having beaten Bigbury in the second round.

A wonderful result by a great squad of players, according to my on-the-spot reporter Liz.

In testing, windy conditions, everyone stepped up to the mark and they were rewarded with a 3-2 win. The team was Heather Spencer, Jan Brooking, Wendy Stewart, Liz Sharman and Jane Mahood.

The Mail on Sunday Classic is an amateur national knockout competition which began in 1993, with over 3,000 clubs entering each year.

The following day the first Still Cup team match was played at home against East Devon. Thurlestone lost but could still hold their heads high against an incredibly strong team. The Thurlestone players were Laura Tregel­les, Heather Spencer, Gill Hicks, Lindsey Fletcher and Barbara Smith.

On the following Monday, an indoor event. The ladies’ section held a spring fair and coffee morning – with golf.

The weather stayed dry, with 42 ladies playing. After which many stalls opened up in the clubhouse selling plants, cakes, clothes, vegetables and books, followed by a raffle. The ladies raised over £900, a great total.

Thursday brought the Doris Willes Little Devon Ladies Knock­out competition and everyone was delighted that Jenny Roberts and Linda Cant beat Honi­ton ladies at Stover in the first round.

A lovely match played in great spirit and with the score two up it was also very tight.

Something unusual and successful when the Thurlestone men’s team, who brought home the coveted Palairet Trophy, played the county ladies in a practice foursomes match. Palairet captain Mark Drew embraced the idea enthusiastically and it was a tight game, the palairet team winning 3-2.

Good practice for the county girls ahead of their next challenge against the gentlemen and boys of the Devon golf second team.

Finally from the ladies’ side – their Dev­on League team played Fingle Glen at home but lost 4-2 after a close match. Thurlestone winners were Trish Cooper and Paula Orr.

On to last Saturday, when early rain discouraged many pros­pective players – in­cluding some elderly gents I was down to play with – but which, by the power of prayer no doubt, turned into a splendid afternoon with the sun shining and the birds singing. I played badly as usual, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Those lively juniors also enjoyed it and played much better in a stableford competition with some very good scores.

In the Congu section the winner was Ethan Bellamy (15) with 43 points – and a handicap reduction to 14. Run­ner-up was Toby White (28) 42 points, also with a reduction to 27. Third place was taken by George Holland (8) with 39 points.

In the non-Congu section the winner was Alfie Messias (31) with 40, from Noah Mulli­gan (30) in second with 30 and Lucas Bellamy (33) in third with 37.

There were a couple of twos, by George Hol­land on the third and Ethan on the 17th.