It was an early start at Tiverton Golf club for the Senior Men's County Championship played over 27 holes. The course was looking magnificent with players warily eyeing up the trees down the first. However, play started with the first 9-holes played from the 10th before a break for lunch and the final 18 holes from the first.
The men were playing for the Rodney Beer Pitcher and the Club Team Shield. Prior to play each club could nominate teams of 3 to compete for the Team Shield with some clubs fielding 2 teams. There were prizes for both gross and nett scores.
With many of the DevonGolf Senior Men's team playing, scores were expected to be good. After 9 holes Martin Selby's gross 36 (CH3 - Royal North Devon) was leading both gross and nett competitions. Senior Men's Team players Tim Aggett (Warren), Simon Knapman (Warren) and Chris Audin (Warren) were all in the running alongside Andy Clark (Honiton). The 18 holes was where the problems began to show. Top golfers were scoring 9s, one an 11, to put themselves out of the running. There were a few stories back in the clubhouse to go with the long faces.
Winning the Rodney Beer Pitcher was Simon Waddington (Royal North Devon).
Player | Club | Gross | |
1st | Simon Waddington | Royal North Devon | 113 |
2nd | Chris Audin | Warren | 114 |
3rd | Andy Clark | Honiton | 116 |
4th | Paul Newcombe | East Devon | 117 |
5th | Martin Selby | Royal North Devon | 117 |
The Nett Prize was fiercely contested with Martin Selby holding on to 1st place from the morning's 9 hole round. It was interesting to note that the top 3 all play at courses without trees - yet Tiverton definitely has a tree or two lurking to catch the unwary.
27 Holes | Player | Club | Course Handicap |
Nett |
1st | Martin Selby | Royal North Devon | 3 | 109 |
2nd | Simon Calvert | Saunton | 6 | 110 |
3rd | Chris Audin | Warren | 2 | 111 |
The Team Prize was won by Royal North Devon A - Mark Evans, Simon Waddington and Martin Selby.
Team | Round 1 | Round 2 | Total | Standing |
Royal North Devon A | 114 | 237 | 351 | +33 |
Mark Evans | 41 | 80 | 121 | +15 |
Martin Selby | 36 | 81 | 117 | +11 |
Simon Waddington | 37 | 76 | 113 | +7 |
The Warren A | 116 | 239 | 355 | +37 |
Tim Aggett | 37 | 84 | 121 | +15 |
Christopher Audin | 38 | 76 | 114 | +8 |
Jeremy Binch | 41 | 79 | 120 | +14 |
Saunton | 122 | 256 | 378 | +60 |
Simon Calvert | 39 | 86 | 125 | +19 |
Paul Richards | 42 | 81 | 123 | +17 |
Jon Thompson | 41 | 89 | 130 | +24 |