THE last couple of weeks have seen plenty of competition at Downes Crediton Golf Club with the crowning of the Mens and Seniors Club Champions.

The Mens Club Championship (Scratch) and Buller Bowl (Handicap), played over 36 holes and two weekends, saw closely fought encounters in both events.

Eventually though Mike Delling held off all challengers to not only win the Club Championship but also take the Buller Bowl for a fantastic double.

His gross 155 total saw him take a five-shot victory over previous champion Martin Garnsey and Tom Long.

The Buller Bowl proved a closer affair with Delling’s one under total of nett 139 beating Chris Parker (nett 141) into second with Steve Blackmore scoring nett 142 to finish third.

Earlier in the week the Seniors had played their Club Championship with each handicap division crowning their Champions over 36 holes of scratch golf.

Tom Long, who put up a strong challenge in the Mens Championship, won Division One scoring an impressive 74 gross in the second round to win with a better back 18 holes from Richard Tomkins whilst Graham Pateman took victory in Division Two with Joe Hull Champion of Division Three.

Monday, June 27 saw the seniors play for the Albert Midsummer Cup, a three-quarter handicap stableford from the yellow tees.

Two players scored fine 37 points but Simon Mannell took the spoils beating Roger Coates into second by virtue of a better back nine.

Mannell and Coates also filled the top spots in Division One with Dennis Wright (36 pts) in third.

Andrew Chandler won Division Two scoring 33 points whilst Andrew Gilg (31 pts) finished second with Richard Eagles posting 31 points for third.

Steve Bassett stole the show in the Midweek Stableford on Wednesday, June 28 scoring 42 points to take victory with Connor Clifford (38 pts) second and Keith Ware (37 pts) third.

Downes’ ladies played their Killard Leavy Foursomes on Thursday, June 29 and Ladies Captain, Shirley Stunell, joined up with Ying Wong to score 36 points and take the win.

Fran Shrubsole and Betty Willey posted 34 points to follow on in second place.

Rodin Mackay scored 36 points in the Club Stableford on Saturday, July 1 taking first place with Chris Bruce and Nick Murch both posting 32 points to finish second and third respectively.

Barry Austin