AS mentioned in last week‘s article the Downes Crediton Golf Club most prestigious competitions of the year took place over the weekend of July 11/12.

These were both men’s and ladies club championships, which took take place over two rounds. There are two formats for the competitions. The first is the gross score where no handicap is allowed, it is the actual number of shots taken. The second competition handicaps are set against the final score.

There were 86 competitors who took part in the men’s event. With the weather that we were experiencing last weekend, this turned into quite an endurance test as well as a demanding test of golf skills.

The winner of the gross score competition (ie no handicap allowance) was Luke Burchell, with rounds of 71 and 78 shots, a total for the two rounds of 149 shots.

Luke wins the Championship Trophy. Second was Martin Garnsey with 153 for the two rounds, and in third place was Ken Bones with a total of 157.

The winner of the nett (handicap competition) was Stephen Govier with two rounds of 68 giving a total of 136 shots, a nett score a score of -4. Stephen wins the Buller Bowl.

In second place was Ken Bones with nett 139 for the two rounds and third was Neil Wilson with a nett 142.

The Buller Bowl featured in a golf club article last summer with a historic photo showing it being presented at the old Crediton Golf Club near Uton in 1926, one hundred years ago.

In the Ladies competition, over the two rounds, Tracey Chandler won the Rosebowl Trophy with gross score event of 83 and 90 giving a total of 173 over the two rounds.

Ying Wong came in second place with 184 and Fran Shrubsole with a score of 191.

In the nett leaderboard Sue Jackson was first with a pair of 68’s giving a nett score of -10. Sue wins the Liz Mapson Trophy. Fran Shrubsole was second with a score of +3, and Ying Wong in third place with +4.

The Junior championship was won by Liam Whittleston.

On Tuesday, July 14 the Club Seniors hosted a round of the Seniors South Devon League involving five Golf Clubs from the area.

It was a very busy day with a very good turn out from each of the competing clubs.

“ Here’s a brief report from one of the organisers of the day.

“On a blisteringly hot day, with the ball running fast and not necessarily in the intended direction, we welcomed the four other clubs in our pool. The final scores were Stover 201, Downes Crediton 200, East Devon 180, Bigbury 178 and Churston 172. A special mention must go to Tom Hall and Graham Cox who scored a magnificent 47 points, 3 more than any of the other 29 teams.

Golf was followed by an excellent meal of lasagne and Eton Mess. Well done and thank you, Simone and team.”

On Friday, July 17, after a considerable amount of careful planning, an exciting new competition was held at the club.

This was a golf match between Sandford Cricket Club, Crediton Rugby Club, Crediton Football Club and Downes Golf Club.

Hopefully it will become a regular annual feature. More to follow in next week’s article!