BLUE skies and a course in perfect condition provided an ideal setting for the annual Tavistock Golf Club Championships.  This year, as well as the scratch competition there was a trophy, presented by David Walls, for the best handicap player. 

The semi-finals for both matches were played in the morning when, in the scratch competition, Alan Gawman played Mark Ingram and Colin Nolan took on George Gawman.  Both games produced some excellent golf with George Gawman taking Colin to the 20th hole before Colin finally claimed victory. Alan Gawman was the victor in the other semi beating Mark Ingram 4 and 3.  The final produced some thrilling golf with seven birdies and an eagle before Alan took the title beating Colin 3 and 1. 

The semi-finalists in the handicap matches, Monty Congdon and Mike Apps, Ken Kendall and John Williams, also played extremely well with close scoring.  Mike Apps and John Williams were the finalists, John becoming the first handicap club champion beating Mike by two and one. 

Unfortunately the Ladies' Championship final between Nicky Gawman and Bev Ruth has been postponed to a later date because of illness.

The last open of the season, a mixed four ball better ball team event, was a new fixture for Tavistock.  The format of one man and one lady to score proved very popular attracting 33 teams.  Once again, the weather was kind and scoring for the top three places was close. 

The winning team of George and Nicky Gawman, Alan Gawman and Lyn Swift (Tavistock) had 81 points and also won the Rose Bowls for the best Tavistock team.  Second, also from Tavistock, was Fran and Graham Horton, Dawn and Bill Phillott with 79; in third were Elaine Cooper and Fred Bailey, June and Ken Kendall (Tavistock) with 75.  The longest drive for men was won by Dave Lee (Fingle Glen) and for the ladies by Jean Pearce (Bude).  Nearest the pin were  Barry Burn and Bridget Luckham.

The Freeman Cup was played in conjunction with the Hampshire Cup and in division one Rick Harrison had nett 67 with Graham Horton, Glyn Cunnick and Gary Pumford all on nett 71. 

Division two: 1, Robert Beveridge nett 71; 2, Dave Manning nett 72; 3, Tony Falconer nett 75. 

In the Hampshire Cup the top 16 players go forward to play in the Winter Knockout. The Freeman Cup, for the highest nett score in a monthly medal played over 12 months, was won by Brett Mannering with nett 77.  There was close scoring for Basil Steer Trophy with Chris Sivyer beating Colin Woodward on countback with a nett 66.  Third was Steve Somerset with nett 67.

The ladies monthly Stableford was played in conjunction with the Allen Candlesticks and the Caddies Trophy.  Division one: 1, Dawn Phillott 34pts; 2, Sue Coles 32; 3, Sally Hills 31.  Division two: 1, Marie Potts 39pts; 2, Carolyn Crawford 36; 3, Margot Angel 35.  Division three: 1, Barbara Chalk 37pts; 2, Barbara Porter 33; 3, Myra Sussex 32.  The Allen Candlesticks (for the best partners aggregate score) was won by Dawn and Marie with 73 pts and the Caddies Trophy was won by Barbara Chalk with 37pts.