Great Torrington clinch thrilling trophy triumph

Andrew jones

GREAT TORRINGTON have ended their wait for the Palairet Memorial Trophy in thrilling style.

The North Devon club made the final of the county-wide inter-club foursomes knockout in 2003 and 2004 but suffered the agony of a last-hole defeat on both occasions.

But this time it was Great Torrington celebrating on the 18th green as they defeated Libbaton 3-2 at Teignmouth.

Club captain Grahame Moore said: "It's the first time that it's happened in the club's history.

"In recent years they have been in the finals four times and this is the first time they've been successful — it's been a long time coming.

"Three or four members of the team have been trying for 20 years to win this, so it does mean a lot.

"I'm thrilled to bits for the club and the players who have been chasing this trophy for so long. It's put Torrington on the map."

Torrie booked their place in Sunday afternoon's final by beating Downes Crediton 3½-1½. It was a tough encounter for the eventual champions, with Peter Stevenson and Mark Hill, and Tony Gooch and Gary Petherbridge, winning their games at the 20th hole.

Libbaton's semi-final was a much more straightforward affair, as they cruised to a 4½-½ victory over Exeter.

In a competitive final, Libbaton's Steve Herniman and Peter Short, and Ron Screech and Brian Stevens, took the first two games.

But Great Torrington fought back to level with wins from Rob Greenslade and Paul Wheeler, and Gooch and Petherbridge.

The destination of the trophy came down to the last hole of the match, and the experienced pair of Mark Coles and Mike McLeod held their nerve to beat Chris Drew and Andy Tucker.

Moore said: "It was nerve-wracking. The morning was nailbiting enough without the afternoon! We played two good sides and the boys knuckled down and did the business."

Results. Palairet Memorial Trophy final: Libbaton 2 Great Torrington 3 (Great Torrington scores first: Jack Stevenson & Steve Schofield lost to Steve Herniman & Peter Short 2 up, Peter Stevenson & Mark Hill lost to Ron Screech & Brian Stevens 2&1, Rob Greenslade & Paul Wheeler bt Jeremy Shapland & Rob Barker 4&2, Tony Gooch & Gary Petherbridge bt Jason Middleton & Sam Raymont 1 up, Mark Coles & Mike McLeod bt Chris Drew & Andy Tucker 1 up).

Royal North Devon

BRIAN COOK'S net 67 earned him the Veterans and O70 Cups in the Veterans Medal while David Palmer took the runners-up spot in the Veterans Cup with a net 69. John Phillips took the O80 Cup with a 78.

Ian Johnston hit form in difficult conditions to return a net 67 and win the President's Prize medal, followed by Graham Buckley on 68. Mark Evans took the scratch prize with a gross 73. Evans has also been crowned this year's club champion after beating Tim Coates at the 20th in the Reid Cup matchplay final.

Dave Baglow, Dennis Peacock and Alick Welton finished third with a score of 233 in the Devon Men Veteran Golfers Association Millennium Trophy. The event was won by home club Churston.

Sue Vicary collected a horde of trophies in the two-day Ladies' Open.

Results. Veteran's Cup: 1 Brian Cook, 67; 2 David Palmer, 69; 3 John Eland, 71; 4 Norwood Cripps, 71; 5 Hugh Bone, 71.

President's Prize — handicap: 1 Ian Johnston, 67; 2 Graham Buckley, 68; 3 Chris Brown, 70; 4 Ollie Tanton, 71; 5 Mark Evans, 72; 6 Peter Brummitt, 72. Scratch: 1 Mark Evans, 73; 2 Chay Hughes, 76; 3 Ian Johnston, 77.

Fourball Team Stableford: 1 Chris Hampton, Mike Jones, Jimmy Mullen, Michael Jones, 76; 2 Ian Greaves, N Spackman, John Taylor, A Tye, 73; 3 Josie Richards, Tony Allin, Tony Richards, Tom Loka, 70; 4 Dale Tanton, Ahmet Mutlu, Billy Mullen, Michael Townshend, 70.

Ladies' Open — Silver Challenge Bowl: 1 Georgina Snow, gross 78; 2 Elizabeth Bird, 79; 3 Michelle Burgess, 82.

Silver handicap: 1 Sue Vicary, gross 80, net 72; 2 Wendy Stone, 90, 73; 3 Val Cook, 92, 75; 4 Jillian Evans, 94, 76. Bronze scratch: 1 Lindy Sainsbury gross 97 (Mary Trapnell Salver); 2 Pam Need, 102; 3 Jan Hurst, 102. Bronze handicap: 1 Ruth Horn, gross 107, net 78; 2 Margaret Cracknell, 111, 78; 3 Mary Harris, 106, 80; 4 Angie Gale, 108, 81.

Elspeth Tyreman Cup: 1 Sue Vicary, gross 80, net 72. Visitors' best medal: Julie McCairns (Oxford) 85, 76. Veterans medal: Sue Tulloh, net 77. Venerable vet medal: Jo Trapnell, net 82. 1st 9 silver: Annie Clarke, 36. 2nd 9 silver: Susan Hall, 37. 1st 9 bronze: Diane Weston 37. 2nds 9 bronze: Anne Mayne 39.5.

Afternoon foursomes: 1 R Caunt & M Finlay, 36; 2 M Burgess & E Bird, 34; 3 S Webster & P Crosthwaite, 33.

Trish Johnson Trophy: 1 Sue Vicary, gross 81; 2 Michelle Burgess, 84; 3 Julie McCairns, 84.

Silver handicap: 1 Maggie Finlay, gross 86, net 73; 2 Anna Wright, 89, 74; 3 Jillian Evans, 92, 74; 4 Trish Jordan, 93, 74. Bronze scratch: 1 Jan Hurst, gross 98; 2 Rita Macauley Black, 99; 3 Mary Wilson, 99. Bronze handicap: 1 Jo Trapnell, gross 102, net 76; 2 Margaret Purdie, 101, 77; 3 Angie Gale, 106, 79; 4 Mary Harris, 106, 80. Visitors' best medal: Rose Kirkham (Saunton), gross 99, net 80.

Veterans' medal: Kate Brown, net 79 on countback from Lesley Crossley. V Vets medal: Betty Stephens, 94.

1st 9 silver: Heather Gale, 36.5. 2nd 9 silver: Sam Bowrey, 35.5. 1st 9 bronze: Ruth Horn 37.5. 2nd 9 bronze: Margaret Ellicott, 38.

Yarde Buller Cup: Sue Vicary, gross 81, net 72.

Aggregate prizes for the meeting — open gross 125 salver (Youngman Salver): Sue Vicary, 161. Bronze: Jan Hurst, 200.

Sandercock Cups (members gross aggregate) — Tiger's Claw silver: Sue Vicary, 161. Rabbit's Paw bronze: Jan Hurst, 200.

Centenary Trophy: Sue Vicary, 145.

Professionals' prize (short hole aggregate): Sue Vicary, 25.

Holsworthy

A FIRST-LEG advantage proved crucial as Holsworthy beat Launceston to claim the Inter-Club Trophy. Despite a 5-3 win for the Cornish side, Holsworthy won 8.5-7.5 overall, thanks to captain Eric Lake and Jim Harrop recording a 4&2 victory.

Conditions were so bad for the Veterans Open that winter rules were used. Colin Walmsley scored a superb 41 points to win the stableford.

Results. Veterans Open: 1 Colin Walmsley, 41; 2 Den Hayden, John Barnes, Brian Axford, Reg Daniels, 40; 3 Graham Simmons, 38. Ladies: 1 Barbara Abrams, 28; 2 Barbara Lake, 24. Team: 1 Colin Walmsley, Des Best, Ron Bonfield, 106.

Ladies Invitation: 1 Ely Walmsley & A Hilton, 39; 2 Jill Down & J Ash, 36; 3 Carol Skrzypzac & J Tett, 36.

Eclipse Trophy — Division 1: 1 Brian Poynton, 38 (on countback); 2 Alan Richardson, 38. Division 2: 1 Eric Lake, 37 (on countback); 2 Ian Harper, 37; 3 Colin Gardner, 35.

Portmore

MIKE McMANUS and Alison West beat Amanda and Leo Webber 5&4 to win the Foursomes Plate.

Results. Saturday Stableford order of merit — Division 1: 1 Paul Ackland (off 13), 38pts; 2 Dave Goldsmith (13), 34 (on countback); 3 Brian Lawrence (13), 34. Division 2: 1 Shaun Field (22), 40; 2 Derrin Carter (26), 39; 3 Alan Baker (24), 38. Lady: Debbie Moon (20), 25. Junior: Ben Thompson (25) 45.

Tuesday Stableford: 1 Tom Light (16), 36; 2 Darren Sergeant (20), 35; 3 Rupert Tilley (11), 32. Lady: Jane Sugar (36), 32. Junior: Sam Southern (24), 31.

Yellow Peril: 1 Paul Blake, Dave Goldsmith, Debbie Moon, 152pts; 2 Nick Mitchel, Ken Mitchel, Mark Mitchel, 140; 3 Dale Wilson, Gary Marsh, Steve Davies, 137.

Senior Texas Scramble: 1 Alan Livermore, Dave Bond, Ron Ham; 2 Tim Ayles, Eric Holton, Peter Arnold.

Ilfracombe

SIMON CALVERT enjoyed a good week, finishing third in the Thursday Stableford, and, in the Woodward Memorial Trophy, first in the scratch and second in the handicap.

Results. Thursday Stableford: 1 N Bowen, 42pts; 2 R Fleming, 41; 3 S Calvert, 39.

Woodward Memorial Trophy — scratch: 1 Simon Calvert, gross 71; 2 Paul Richards, 71; 3 Neil Braund, 74. Handicap: 1 Brian Young, net 62; 2 Simon Calvert, 63; 3 Tracey Davison, 63.

Mortehoe and Woolacombe

Results. Championship Day 2008. Scratch: 1 Jane Rendle, 143; 2 Peggy Richardson, 144. 18-hole Stableford — Division 1: Georgia Jennings Potts, 39 pts. Division 2: Elaine Dennis, 26. 9-hole Stableford — Division 1: Gill Ginnings, 9pts. Division 2: Pauline Smith, 12.

July Stableford — Division 1: 1 P Jennings-Potts (28), net 23pts; 2 P Richardson (19), 11. Division 2: 1 E Dennis (36), 14; 2 R Bastock (36), 14.

Saunton

Results. Junior Open Medal — Daily Telegraph Qualifier — boys: Matthew Wells (Saunton & Ilfracombe), gross 75. Girls: Lucy Greenberry (Exeter), 89.

Scratch: 1 Matthew Wells, gross 75; 2 Issac Greenwood (Downes Crediton), 76; 3 James Wilshire (Exeter), 80; 4 Rob Luckson (Saunton), 83. Division 1: 1 Jack Bamford (Saunton/Henbury), net 71; 2 Michael Jones (RND), 71; 3 Leigh Jones (East Devon), 73; 4 Toby Chapman (Clevedon), 74. Division 2: 1 Luke Quirk (Saunton), 66; 2 Thomas Trowbridge (Downes Crediton), 71; 3 Sam Southon (Portmore), 72; 4 Harry Land (Saunton), 72. U14 gross — boys: Tom Sloman (Taunton & Pickeridge), 82. U14 net – boys: Jacob Tinsley (East Devon), 70. Best girls: Greenberry (Exeter), gross 89; Sophie Todd (Saunton), net 82.

White Tee Stableford — Division 1: 1 Mark Somerville (14), 38pts; 2 Graham Curry (15), 37; 3 Tony Stevens (13), 36; 4 Graham Taylor (15), 34 on countback. Division 2: 1 Nick Cumberlege (22), 39; 2 Tony West (22), 36; 3 Rob Todd (23), 35; 4 Graham Davidson (17), 33 .

Ladies EGU Medal and 30-36 Handicap Cup — Silver Division: 1 Julie Middle (18), net 70; 2 Alison Down (6), 74; 3 Suzann Mason (13), 77. Bronze Division 1: 1 Pat Ford (27), 70; 2 Jan Reynolds (26), 72; 3 Gillian Carr (22), 75. Bronze Division 2: 1 Sue Barker (36), net 82 (winner of cup); 2 Helena Johnson (32), 83.

Blue Tee Stableford — Division 1: 1 Mark Jones (11), 38pts; 2 Danny Wallace (13), 36; 3 Basil Pennicott (11), 34 on countback; 4 Keith Adamson (6), 34. Division 2: 1 Rob Todd (22), 38; 2 Richard Copp (20), 36; 3 Luke Quirk (16), 35; 4 Paul Evans (18), 34.

Libbaton

Results. Ladies' 36-hole Championship — gross: 1 Amanda Leonard, 167; 2 Meg Whittaker, 194. Net: 1 Amanda Leonard, 149; 2 Val Symons (Sally Evans Rose Bowl), 152.

Proprietor's Cup: 1 Andrew Tucker, 39pts on countback; 2 Ben Isaac, 39; 3 Leigh Short, 37; 4 Jordan Hussell, 36. Best visitor: N Ferris, 31pts. Ladies' Proprietress's Cup: 1 Lucy Leatham, 44pts; 2 Wendy Spencer, 36 on countback; 3 Anne Fenge, 36.

Ladies 7th LGU Medal — overall: Val Symons, net 71. Division 1: 1 Gillian Herniman, 75; 2 Amanda Leonard, 76; 3 Meg Whittaker, 79. Division 2: 1 Val Symons, 71; 2 Sandra Rabbetts, 76; 3 Sandy Mott, 78. Division 3: 1 Jean Rockall, 77; 2 Linda Stride, 79; 3 Sue Monkcom, 81.

Seniors Stableford — Division 1: 1 Keith Blake, 42; 2 Martin Burke, 41; 3 John Howes, 40. Division 2: 1 John Beresford, 41 on countback; 2 Brian Baker, 41; 3 Frank Dobson, 39.

Men's Medal — Division 1: 1 Brian Stevens, net 70; 2 Chris Drew, 72 on countback; 3 Rob Quick, 72. Division 2: 1 Dennis Short, 73; 2 Nigel Hughes, 75 on countback; 3 Darren Howes, 75.

Seniors John Beresford Plate: 1 Norman Holliday, Terry Sherar & Kevin Stride, 78pts on countback; 2 Ray Poole, Geoff Savory & Dick Evans, 78; 3 Paul Webb, Paul Li & P Masters, 76.