It was a false spring, writes Lincoln Shaw. Quite a shock after a period when Thurlestone golf course saw a bit of the sun, the skylarks started singing and some of the seniors discarded the long johns that have kept their knees warm throughout a long winter.

Then the freeze started with a touch of snow and bitter, bitter winds that numbed the hands, even with thick mittens on, and made golf impossible.

Even the redoubtable Al Parker, who never feels the cold, stayed away.

The big chill had begun on Sunday, when Thurlestone were looking for glory in the second round of the Mail on Sunday Classic competition, with a trip to sunny Spain if they battled through to become regional champions.

Alas, it was not to be. Visitors Tiverton went through after a titanic struggle in atrocious, very windy conditions.

It was, however, a very close thing, the visitors winning by three matches to two with a final putt on the 18th green.

Afterwards club captain Mervyn Spencer praised the Thurlestone team – brothers David and Peter Eva, Jamie Johnson, Will Baker and Kevin Mingo – and felt it would be unfair to report which of them won and lost.

'All for one, one for all' was his verdict.

'All blamed the elements with a British stoicism not seen since a Brit won the Masters – Nick Faldo in 1998.'

Mervyn paid a special tribute to Thurlestone members who turned out to cheer the team on in the freezing conditions.

The crazy weather had relented just a little earlier in the week when Thurlestone ladies enjoyed dry and almost warm weather for a medal competition that doubled as the first order of merit competition for 2013.

Scores were competitive for the place positions, but Liz Britton (18) won the event comfortably with a net 70 in front of Jane Mason (17) with net 75.

The ever-reliable Janet Richardson (20) won division two with net 77 with Jenny McKeague (23) second on countback, while Mary Wilkes (28) was the division three winner.

March Medal: Division 1: Elizabeth Britten 88 (18) 70 2 Jane Mason 92 (17) 75; Division Two: 1 Janet Richardson 97 (20) 77; 2 Jenny McKeague 100 (23) 77; Division Three: 1 Mary Wilkes 102 (28) 74.2 Alison Daniel 108 (29) 79.

Lady captain Linda Cant was not among the winners, but she took the biggest prize of the day by scoring the only 'two' with a reward of £11.

Finally, another encouraging report on those irrepressible juniors.

The club has gained 14 new members following the new 'pathway into golf' academy run by professionals Steve White and Pete Mitchell.

With more to come no doubt – when spring really does arrive...