Not for the first time Thurlestone's female golfers have been experiencing the full range of weather being offered by this so-called British summer, writes Lincoln Shaw.

This includes what are described as 'horrible conditions', with strong winds and heavy showers, which reduced the field for the Patey and Steer Bowl competition.

Some sturdy souls did battle on, however, and it resulted in a very creditable 37 points win for Lesley Davey and Alison Adams. They were one point clear of Jane Mason and Liz Sharman and two ahead of both Jenny Roberts and Heather Spencer and Penny Hind and Shirley Worrall.

There were two 'twos', quite a feat on such an atrocious day, scored by Lesley Robinson and Sally Rossiter.

Liz Sharman had the bridesmaid's part again in the final of the Betty Ord trophy, played in much better conditions on the previous day. In a tight match that went all the way to the 18th, she lost out to Tish Mawhood.

There was another close contect in the final of the ladies veteran salver when the experienced Joyce Drummond and Judy Tyler were paired against the newly formed partnership of Lesley Saffin and Janet Richardson.

Played in the 4BBB format, the first few holes were all shared but gradually Lesley and Janet crept ahead to lead by three shots.

Their opponents fought back, but suffered a blow when Lesley chipped in from off the green on the difficult and windy 11th. Then on the 16th Janet holed the final putt for a 3/2 victory.

On the male side a 50-plus field, much improved from last year's event, contested the Kennedy Cup medal on a fine, dry, day but with a testing wind that made scoring difficult enough for the CSS to be increased by two strokes to 73.

It posed few difficulties for Alastair Whalley, no stranger to the prize lists, who took the top spot by six clear shots, carding a net 66 off a handicap of five.

He now meets Robert Came, winner of the Kennedy stableford event, to see who takes the cup home on presentation night.

Stewart Barnes (5) was runner-up in Division One with net 72, one better than Harry Milburn-Fryer, who plays off scratch. Nigel Whelan (18) headed Division Two with net 72, two shots better than Martin Oakes-Monger (17). Eric Brisley (21) was third with net 76.

Fifty-three players entered the twos sweep and nine of them succeeded, each worth £14.72.

Thurlestone will soon be saying goodbye to Anthony Buchanan, its popular assistant golf professional who is flying off next month to start a new life with his partner Samantha.

They are being married on August 5 and after the honeymoon will fly out to Dubai, where Samantha has been offered a post as a secondary school maths teacher. 'It was too good an opportunity to miss', says 23-year-old Anthony, who has been making a name for himself in Devon PGA circles and recently won a prestigious pro am tournament at the Oxfordshire club which earned him £800.

'As I have now completed my final year of PGA training, I feel that moving to Dubai will give me the opportunity to further my teaching and playing career in such a thriving country. It will, however, be a wrench to leave Thurlestone, where the members have shown me so much kindness and support for the last four years.

'I have made some valued friendships and will take away many fond memories.'