FROM 7.30 am until 2pm, starting in mist and ending in sunshine, 184 golfers took part in Tavistock Golf Club's men veterans' four ball better ball open on a course that was in superb condition. 

The winning Tavistock team John Thewlis and Ian Bellan scored 45 points, closely followed by John Harding and David Bryant with 44pts.  In third place with 43 pts were Ian Wood and Dick Spackman.

Nearest the pin on the fourth was John Thewlis; nearest the pin in two on the 11th, Dave Treble; longest drive on the 15th, Brian Wright. 

Scoring was tight for first place for the top visitor team but D Dow and M Fryer from St Mellion took the honours with 44pts on count back from I Hemmings and A Richardson (Holsworthy) and J Manicom and I Roberts (Borringdon and Elfordleigh).

Nearest the pin on the seventh, Stan Jones (Teigh Valley); nearest the pin in two on the 17th, Paul Tregellas  (Teign Valley); longest drive on the 12th, David Dow of St Mellion.

Another popular open is the mixed open and this year Tavistock took the first three places.  Junior Emma Greening and Ross Davies came first with 47pts and they also won the Betty Young Trophy for the best Tavistock team. Emma, who plays off 25, is also the first ever girl to be junior captain — another great achievement. 

George and Nicky Gawman were second with 43pts and with 41pts in third place were Barbara Porter and Stuart Washer.  The Tavistock pair Keith and Marion Stenhouse were fourth on count back from Nigel Cooper and Yvonne Dance (Stover) and Mike and Shirley Trevenna (Tavistock). 

Nearest the pin on the fourth were John Thewlis (Tavistock); nearest the pin in two at the 10th Graham Norton (Tavistock); on the seventh, Fran Horton (Tavistock); on the 10th, Alison Adams (Thurlestone).

In the qualifying round of the Express and Echo Donna Gage and Janet Kiely were first with 42pts;  runners up were Carolyn Crawford and Belinda MacSherry  with 37 pts.  Both pairs will represent Tavistock in the final to be held at Royal North Devon Golf Club later in the year.

In the men's Kiely Cup Andy Down and Dave Symons were first with 77pts on count back from Jim Whithead and Martyn Moon. In third place with 72 pts were Nigel Roberts and Kevin Quick.