THURLESTONE ladies played their 18-hole Stableford competition on Wednesday and combined it with the Stableford Winners’ Trophy.

In first place was Irene Lowry (19) with 37 points, who also won the Stableford Winners’ Trophy. In second place was Sue Ansley (21) with 35 points and third was Jane Mahood (26) with 33 points. There were only two birdie twos and congratulations go to Jennifer Roberts who got them both.

Nine Thurlestone ladies went out for a friendly match at the Warren for one singles and four greensomes matches. The Warren was as tricky as ever, what with the gorse in full bloom ready and willing to entrap any unsuspecting Thurlestone ball. 

Between them the Thurlestone team lost well over 30 balls; Jacky Jacobs losing six and Diane Baker, Claire Guard and Sheila Fairley all losing five. Special mention must go to Fiona Turner, who did not lose any at all. 

The Warren team complained about the wind but it was positively benign in comparison to recent experience at Thurlestone so that cannot explain the results, which were heavily weighted in The Warren's favour. Gorse, gorse and more gorse was at the core of it. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all.

On Saturday, April 13, Thurlestone welcomed our friends from Bigbury for the first leg of the annual Lantern Trophy match. Seven teams battled it out on a fine day for golf. Thurlestone were victorious by 4.5 to 2.5, therefore taking a lead into the second leg at Bigbury. The course was in excellent condition considering the recent appalling weather and was much complimented upon by our guests.

Finally, there was some dry weather at Thurlestone and a glimpse of sunshine for our first West Devon Junior League event of the year. Last Sunday, Thurlestone hosted the annual Adult and Junior Greensome competition with pairs from Staddon Heights, Yelverton, Boringdon Park and Thurlestone battling it out for the Nat West Cup.   

The top three pairs all scored an impressive 40 points. On count-back, third was William Dodd and Andrew Blank from Boringdon, second Oliver and Paul Cunningham from Yelverton and the winners were Luke Moulder and Ant Montford from Staddon Heights.

A good turnout for the men’s Stableford in fairly dry conditions resulted in a very tight finish with no fewer than six players within one point at the top. In first place was Nick Jenkins on 37, followed in second place by Craig Blount on 36. In third place on count-back but ahead of the other three players all on 36 was Wilf Cunningham. Two twos were carded – congratulations to Craig Blount and William Potts. 

The seniors welcomed Torquay to their friendly match on a beautiful, sunny day. Near-perfect conditions resulted in some fine golf being played by both teams. The end result was a draw 3-3 with four of the six games very close indeed. Stewart Barnes was nearest the pin for the home team.