DOWNES Crediton Golf Club seniors competed for the John Baird Trophy, one of the first trophy competitions of the season, on Monday, April 11.

With the course in superb condition there was some fine scoring and top of the pile was Quin Payne-Cook with a fine 41 points.

This also gave Quin victory in Division One by a single point over Stephen Pitt and John Stevens, both scoring 40 points.

Tom Petiffer won Division Two scoring 39 points. Peter Dewhurst finished second with 37 points beating Ken Legassick and Danny Enright courtesy of a superior back nine holes.

On a bright day (Thursday, April 14) the ladies competed in a foursomes competition in an effort to qualify for the Express and Echo and Killard Leavy Foursomes later in the season.

Winning were the dependable duo of Fran Shrubsole and Judith Ezard. Their 32 points haul beat Doreen Warren and Marina Caston into second place (31 points) with Sophie Button and Ying Wong third a point further behind.

Saturday, April 16 saw Downes men compete in the first medal of the season played off the White tees.

For a long time par looked like it was going to be a good score until later in the day when Adam Hull posted a tremendous nett 62, eight under par.

This gave Adam a six shot victory, cut his handicap cut from 17 to 14 and he now qualifies to play with Club Professional, Barry Austin, in the National PGA Pro Am later in the season at Bovey Castle.

This also gave Adam victory in Division Two beating Robin Abrahams into second (nett 69) with Colin Baker third with nett 70.

Division One saw Tristan Kershaw taking the honours with a nett 68 whilst Steve Whyte finished second on nett 70.

Division Three was won by Steve Gidley scoring nett 71 one better than Mark Cummins (nett 72) who in turn beat two others with a better back nine.

Best scratch score of the day was posted by Matt Arnold with a gross 76.

Another highlight of the day saw Colin Baker and Tristan Kershaw both score holes-in-one on the 155-yard par three seventh hole.

Sunday, April 17, saw mixed results for Downes Crediton men’s teams. Firstly the Dartmoor League team scored an impressive away win (3-2) at Wrangaton Golf Club.

Unfortunately, the Parker Trophy team narrowly lost there scratch match 2-1 to Honiton Golf Club in a tie played at East Devon.

Barry Austin