YELVERTON firefighter Martin Harris has reeled in more than a fire hose after winning the Devon Fire and Rescue Service golf competition. Martin joined the fire service three years ago and started playing golf soon afterwards, usually at the Elfordleigh Golf Club. The fire service annual golf day ? which was organised by control room staff in Exeter ? was held at the Teign Valley Golf Club on October 17. It has been running for 35 years and this is thought to be the first time someone from the Tavistock area has won it. Approximately 30 golfers competed for the title. Martin said it was a stableford competition, in which everyone was given a handicap according to their ability. ?My handicap was 24, and I finished three shots under the par for that. The course must have been harder than I thought if everyone else did worse than me, but for me it was a very forgiving course ? although I still had to get the ball in the hole,? he said. Martin received a shield and statue, and he said that although his Yelverton colleagues were initially as shocked as him that he had won they had congratulated him and were impressed with the trophies. ?I thought they were going to take the micky, as they think golf is spoiling a good walk!? Martin said. ?But hopefully this might inspire some more local firemen to take it up.?
