ROUND 3 of the South West of England Open Winter Foursomes, sponsored by Brittany Ferries, was held at Yelverton Golf Club on Sunday.
The weather held good, with no frosts to delay play, and it was a fine day for golf.
Four club Professionals were knocked out: the local Professional, Tim McSherry, and his partner Laura Eastwood lost to the Stover pair of Hughes and Vooght 2 and 1.
Neil Holman and Paul Hendriksen from Churston lost to Tavistock Professional Dominic Rehag and his partner Tony Finnigan 2 and 1; and Martin Cayless from Dainton Park lost to the China Fleet pair of John Thomas and Jimmy Foy.
Two of the Yelverton juniors, Tom Squire and Ross Northey, continued to get the maximum out of their entry fee by extending the match past the 18th hole for the third time running, finally grinding down their opponents Duncan Giblett and Richard Tubbs from East Devon, on the 20th hole.
Ross's brother, Mark, and father, Ian Northey, started well against the defending champions Tony Nash and Linda Simpson, going 2 up after 3 holes, but the experience and class of the champions showed through and they played some fine golf to win convincingly 5 and 4.
Another young player, James Ruth and his partner Gary Foster from Tavistock, were also successful, beating the experienced pairing of John Hirst and Steve Daniels.
However, to show that age is no barrier John Gilmore (Yelverton) and Mike Beveridge (Tavistock), as the elder statesmen of the draw, won a tight match against the Okehampton father and son team of Michael and Ian Moore.
The fourth round takes place in two weeks' time, on Sunday November 25, before the December break.
On January 13 battle will recommence when the quarter-finals, and the Plate knock-out round, are held.