PROBABLY the most demanding competition of the week took place last Saturday: the Men’s Kirton Pairs Open competition.

It is a demanding because there are two rounds in one day. There are 18 holes in the morning followed by another 18 in the afternoon, with not much respite between rounds.

As the name suggests, the competition is for a team two players in a better ball format.

In order to fit the 36 holes in during the day, there was an early start for the first competitors, and the last finished their 36 holes at about 6pm.

The event was won by Nigel Hoskins and Stuart Wills of Downes Golf Club with a total score of 79 points. Adam Hull (Exeter) and Tim Keenner (Royal N Devon) were second with 75pts, and Dominic Trewin (Downes) and Richard Greetham (East Devon) were in third place, on count back, with 74pts.

Well done to everyone for their endurance. We should also thank our bar and catering team for their hard work providing vital sustenance during the day. Well done Bev and team.

Playing golf at Downes Crediton, or indeed at any golf club, is a great sport, or perhaps you would call it a hobby, or even a pastime.

As one sets out to become a golfer, at whatever level, it is soon clear many skills are involved.

These divide broadly into two categories. The physical skills needed to get the small white ball around the course in as few shots as possible, and the mental skills needed to enjoy and succeed at the game.

Checking out these skills using Google AI produces a comprehensive list in both categories. For this article here’s just a few of the mental skills.

First there’s mental focus, the ability to concentrate on each shot. Then comes course management, knowing how best to play each hole.

Another is confidence in your ability, and having a positive mindset. A big one, as any player will tell you, is emotions management, staying composed when things get difficult.

Also there’s persistence, not giving up and staying determined.

It’s quite a list, but somehow the spirit wins through, and in the clubhouse afterwards there’s the camaraderie with your playing partners, and accounts of good and bad shots, the long putts sunk, and the short ones missed.

The effort seems to make it all worthwhile, and before too long you are back for more. It’s a great game, full of pleasure and frustration in almost equal measure.

There’s nothing better than striking a ball a long way down the fairway, or holing a putt from 35 feet away. Even better, there’s telling fellow golfers of your exploits when the round is over.

Once again, as a well as many members and visitors playing for pleasure, there have been plenty of competitions and matches during the week.

On Thursday, there was a seniors home friendly versus Teignmouth, while the section Ladies played a Greensomes, the Warren Crocus competition. On Sunday, there was a mixed 18-hole event playing for the Cynthia King Robinson Bowl.

The Thursday Ladies Greensomes event was won by Fran Shrubsole and Shirley Stunell.

Last week’s Mid Week Stableford was won by Jonathan Weighell with 38pts.

The Thursday evening Nine-Hole Stableford was won by Rohan Hardeman with 21pts.