Honiton and Axe Cliff golf

In the Seniors’ Section the final round of the “Masters” produced an exciting finish with only one stroke separating the three leaders at the start of play. The scoring on the day reflected the excellent golfing conditions with six players out of the field of 36 beating par.

Two players returned with 67s and the winner of the Medal on countback was Malcolm Glass (18) with John Pugh (17) on the same score having to settle for second place.

Third, all on his own with a nett 68 was Jack Bannister (27). Among the 69s was John D White (20) who held off the challenge of Mike Tomes (16), the leader at start of play and three time winner Brian Wilkes (12). This was John’s second Masters win, his total of 294 being two ahead of Mike and three ahead of Brian.

Earlier in the week, the return inter-club fixture with Vivary took place at Axe Cliff and resulted in a 5 - 1 win for the home club. Winning pairings for Axe Cliff included Gilbert Cox/Hugh Willis, John Mant/Norman Bowles, Chris Jowett/J W White, Jack Bannister/Iain Bain and Rob Grove/Norman Stone.

Last Saturday, Mid Summer Madness returned top Axe Cliff with players teeing off at 4.45am for a four ball better ball competition and also to see the sun rising, which was a wonderful sight. The winning scores were also pretty impressive.

First with a 55.9, and including a massive 10 birdies, were M. Bond (2), S Sweetland (17), S Anning (10) and M Yates (12). Runners up were L Snell (10), C Trivett (10), G Jackson (14) and M Hubbard. This was followed by a well-earned full English breakfast.

Axe Cliff Lady Ex-Captains played their annual Stableford Competition last Wednesday, their winner being Di Rogers with 35 points. This Wednesday, a Medal competition was played, the winner, coming in with a nett 71, was Margaret Brown (27), second Di Rogers (29), with a nett 73. Margaret’s handicap will be going down. During the afternoon the ladies thoroughly enjoyed themselves at a cream tea organised by Lady Captain Helen Gaudie at the lovely home of Mary Gipps, who had laid on a game of croquet and a wonderful raffle, with all proceeds going to the captain’s charity. Winner of the croquet was Glenda Board.

HONITON - THIRTY-TWO members played in the Monthly Drawn Mixed Greensomes competition playing for the Chivers Goblets. Although sunny overhead, the dry greens allowed the ball to run, presenting an unexpected surprise to some of the players. However, not to Hilda Hoepelman and John Northover, who won with 45pts. Following very closely were Jean Putt and John Dickinson with 44pts. In third place were Daphne Ayland and Terry Dimond with 38pts and Barbara Eastwood and Chris Poole, fourth with 36pts.

l At the weekend the Ladies played in the Bowerman Cup, an 18 holes Stableford each day.

The winner, with 67pts, (31 and 36), was Sarah Loader beating Joan Smith who had 63 pts. (30 and 33). Third was lady vice captain Sue Ritchie with 58pts (28 and 30.

On Ladies Day this week the Bradshaw Bogey was played (Matchplay against the course). The winner was Olwen Eaton with an excellent score of +6. Olwen was closely followed by the runner up Diana Gee with +5.