THE first round of the South West of England Winter Foursomes competition was played at Yelverton over two Sundays in mid-October. This year there were 79 pairs entered, with 10 club professionals and 12 lady entrants, and the competition has four sponsors: City Plumbing, Plymouth Tool Hire, Vickery Holman and Foojoy.

Royal North Devon Professional, Ian Parker played with the promising junior Jimmy Mullen. Jimmy had a dislocated finger, but they still managed to be too strong for their opponents, Simon Knapman and Jim Warwick from Churston, winning two-up. Two other juniors, Ben Isaac(Libbaton) and Jack Money(Exeter) played well to beat Jamie Easton-Johns and Dean Lowden from Staddon Heights, after playing four extra holes.

China Fleet professional, Andy Michael, and his partner Michael Coe lost to Andy Frankum and Ken Ware from Downes Crediton 3and2. Jason Pollard, Stover Professional had a close match against previous finalists Des Carter and Ian Verner(China Fleet), but managed to win one up. Teign Valley pro Scott Amiett and his partner Vince Chalk played well against the Tavistock pairing of Tom Dodd and Shaun Getson to win two and one.

Kayleigh Cann and Bengt Bergan, one of the three all-female pairings, were in the lead until the 17th hole, playing against Staddon secretary Tim Aggett and partner Rob Sandford, but won eventually lost on the 20th. Nicky Gawman and husband George (Tavistock) beat Staddon captain, Phil Hill, and partner Lee West four and three.

The next round sees the 48 pairs that got a bye start their campaign. Start times are available on the Yelverton web-site – yelvertongolf.co.uk