The first round of the South West of England Open Winter Foursomes competition, sponsored this year by DHS Tool Supply Company of Plymouth, was played at Yelverton Golf Club. The competition attracted entries from 81 pairs, including 16 professionals and six ladies. After the warmest summer on record, winter duly arrived in time to welcome competitors, and the first round was played out in suitably wintry conditions, with a cold easterly wind, combining with persistent drizzle, making for unpleasant playing conditions. Father and daughter team, Karl and Laura Eastwood, combined well to put last year?s semi-finalists Des Carty and Ian Verner from the China Fleet Club out of the competition by eight and six. Six other teams from Yelverton went through, including the club?s professional, Tim McSherry, and his partner Gary Hawking (who won the title last year with Karl Eastwood). They had a close match with Wrangaton secretary Mike Daniels and his partner Rob Joint, winning one up. Looe professional Barry Evans went out to fellow pro Chris Gill and Dan Dobson from Royal North Devon. Last year?s losing finalists Torquay Range professional Neil Holman and Richard Francis of Churston went out five and four to Steve Weeks and Andy Thompson from Yelverton. Matt Sandercock, the Bovey Castle professional, and his partner Jason Fallon of Holsworthy lost to China Fleet?s new pro Paul Kent and his partner Jimmy Foy by four and two. Also from China Fleet, Nathan O?Sullivan and Matt Bowden had a convincing win beating Rob Hylands and Mike Trembeth by seven and six, and Steve Rimes and John Dodd beat the Teign Valley pair of Pat Masterson and Jim Mills by a similar margin. l The second round will be played on Sunday, and full results and draw are available on the club website ? http://www.yelvertongc.co.uk">www.yelvertongc.co.uk.