Thurlestone Golf Club

Who said golf was a game best enjoyed by the young and talented? Asks Lincoln Shaw.

The not-quite-so-young can still swing a nifty club as both Glamorous Grannies and Gorgeous Grannies proved in a fun-filled but hotly contested competition at Thurle­stone.

Such a large entry there were more than enough to form two separate teams, played over nine holes to take account of the weather rather than ageing bones.

The Gorgeous Gran winner was Ann Best, with Janet Richardson runner-up, while the Glams were headed by Linda Cant, just ahead of Jan Brooking.

With hidden prizes going to Trish Cooper and Jane Mahood, who both became grannies of twins this year.

On a more serious note there have been a number of competitions with both success and disappointment as the end results.

Hard luck for the team that played against Dainton and lost. But it was only a friendly in all senses of the word. Gill Hicks and Sheila George won their match 5-4, while Janet Richardson and Trish Bowen went one better with a 8-4 win.

Nicole Cole and Yvonne Pike halved their match on a day that was dry with the wind easing. Despite the result, everyone enjoyed it.

Not so lucky a couple of days later, when competitors in a four ball better ball stableford had to play in strong winds and occasional hail.

The Warren Crocus Salver winners were Lindsey Fletcher and Victoria Gibbens with 37 points, five more than runners-up Helen Spencer and Linda Cant. Bronze winners were Yvonne Pike and Lesley Saffin with 30 points.

In the club four ball better ball competition, the winners were Jill Beavis and Jane Mason with 43 points, followed by Hayley Pep­perell and Shirley Wor­rall (38) on count back from Liz Barker and Paula Orr, who came in with the same score.

There was one two scored by Barbara Smith and Bernice Sweetman on the 13th.

Suspense and excitement on Sunday when the Mail on Sunday team played Fingle Glen, at home in the fifth round.

Battling for Thurle­stone were Heather Spencer (captain). Bar­bara Smith, Janet Rich­ardson. Janet Richard­son and Laura Tregel­les. (reserve Gill Hicks).

After 18 holes it was all square and Laura Tregelles had to go down the 19th, where she holed a putt for a par to give Thurlestone a 3-2 win.

Her winning putt was watched by supporters outside the clubhouse and when she sank it there was a loud cheer that was good to hear.

Thurlestone ladies have built up a strong team and everyone wishes them well in the fifth round of this national competition. Date and venue still to be decided.

Some familiar names at the top of the list after the John Batchelor Trophy competition on Monday.

The winners, with 39 points, were Dave and Yvonne Pike from Lin­da and Graham Cant with 37. Third were Barbara and Graham Smith 36 on countback from Joanne and Nick Crispin.

There were two twos scored by John and Jane Mahood plus Sally and David Reid.

Not such good news from The Warren, where Thurlestone’s Palairet team played Honiton, hoping to retain the trophy they won so magnificently last year. They lost 31/2 to 11/2. Our winners were George Holland and David Eva, while Kevin Mingo and Chris George halved. Hard luck lads – but there’s always next year.