women were used to old metal lockers which needed a foot on the door to get them to close - to prevent the locker springing back open again like Arkwright's till in Open All Hours!

Everyone agrees that the finished article is just

in time as Petitor is playing host to the county finals of the Still Cup and Presidents Trophy in

the summer, and Torquay will be proud to open its locker room to the vast number of visitors from across Devon.

Slide Mouse over images for more pictures >>

LADIES SECTION PRESS RELEASES Click pictures to increase image size

Friday 14 October 2011

HELP THE HEROES

The conflict in Afghanistan is at the forefront of the news these days and Torquay Golf Club helped to raise awareness with their Help for Heroes charity golf day on Friday (writes Diane Evitts)

The charity was chosen by Ladies Captain Vonnie Evans as the recipient of her fundraising efforts during the year and with Torquay’s own ‘band of brothers’ – Matthew, Peter, Shaun and Chris Needham – all serving in the war at some time, it is a subject very close to home.

Thus the day was a complete sell-out with members vying for the opportunity to play during the day and also enjoy the dinner and disco in the evening.

The Club was honoured to have sixteen servicemen participating in the event; twelve Royal Engineers and four Royal Marines. The Marines only arrived back from Afghanistan the day before, whilst those from 59 Commando Unit returned to England two weeks previously after a seven month deployment.

If evidence were needed of the sacrifice made by the service personnel it was illustrated by Ross Austin, of 59 Commando, Chivenor who lost a leg due to blast injuries sustained in Afghanistan. The care and support which he received at Headley Court Rehabilitation Unit in Surrey enabled Ross to return to the Army, to compete in a New York marathon and play in the day’s H4H charity day.

At the prize presentation Captain Robert Grant from 59 Commando thanked Torquay Golf Club for choosing Help for Heroes as its charity. He stated that whilst this was a popular charity at the moment he was concerned that this might not always be the case.

He praised the hospital in Selly Oaks, Birmingham and Headley Court for their support for the injured service men and women, emphasizing that as the Government has no money for rehabilitation these units depend on the generosity of local communities, business people and fundraising events. The money raised goes towards the solders’ rehabilitation, housing adaptions and funding for family visits during their long road to recovery.

Cpt Grant and the other service men were struck by how friendly and welcoming members of Torquay Golf Club had been and through the efforts of the Club this event alone had raised £4,000.

Thursday 1 September 2011

MIXED AM-AM

Torquay’s mixed AM-AM has become a popular fixture in its calendar since its inception three years ago (writes Diane Evitts). So much so that players put a lot of thought into choosing their team with the best combination of players and handicaps.

Looking to continue their winning form were Pay Goymour, Sue Wood, John Ireland and Ian Doyle who had won the contest for the past two years. However, this year it was the new kid on the block who took the title.

When your Mum and Uncle are past County Champions Jake Dommett might have decided to take up football instead of golf. However, with his grandparents also golfers, and his Dad now taking up the sport, perhaps it was inevitable that he should join the golfing ‘dynasty’.

So on Sunday, three years after joining Torquay’s Junior Section, eleven-year old Jake joined his Mum Charlotte, and grandparents Jill and Bob Copping for his first taste of an AM-AM and playing against the grown-ups.

Fourth out in the field they posted an early target of 78 points, which despite a late charge from Club Secretary Colin Nolan and his team of Jan White and Helen and Mike Jones, was never surpassed.

With Jake’s sister Georgia also an enthusiastic player, is this the next generation of scratch golfers at Torquay? With such a golfing family there’s no shortage of support for the young golfers.

Results: AM-AM (4 person team event, 1 gent & 1 lady score to count): 1st Charlotte Dommett, Jake Dommett, Bob Copping & Jill Copping 78 points; 2nd Colin Nolan, Jan White, Helen Jones & Mike Jones 77; 3rd Susan Walsh, Brian Walsh, Diane Loving & Mike Barter (Bridport) 75, on countback from Keith Wilkinson, Carol Wilkinson, Graham Raikes & Elizabeth Raikes, on c/b from Brian Jones, Toni Jones, C Rowe & Sue Baxter; 6th Paula Cowl, John Cowl, Michelle Underwood & Mitch Davidson (Fingle Glen/Woodbury).

Thursday 18 August 2011

LADIES CAPTAIN'S DAY

Torquay’s Vonnie Evans’ prayers were answered when her Ladies Captain’s Day dawned bright and sunny(writes Diane Evitts). However, if the players thought they were out for a leisurely ‘stroll in the park’ they were soon disillusioned when they studied the competition format.

A three-person team event, with three different tees to play from, all added to an overload on the brain matter. In the event the prizewinners were all within one point of each other, with countbacks needed to determine the placings.

In the evening the players were able to let their hair down with a 60s themed dinner and disco, and as normal Torquay ladies totally supported the event in their miniskirts, boots and psychedelic outfits.

Two days later Torquay hosted their very popular four ball team event, with visitors from across the county and beyond outnumbering the home players, It was therefore fitting that not only did visitors from East Devon take the top prize, but the guests figured heavily in the prizes.

Results: 3 ball team event: 1st Maxine Adams, Caroline Craig & Maggie Coxill 97 points; 2nd Jan White, June O’Dwyer & Sue Mitchell 96, on countback from Molly Haslam, Laura Colman & Sue Arnold; 4th Joy Praill, Karen Hough & Sue Slater 95, on c/b from Trudie Cross, Sylvia Glasscock & Sue Wells, on c/b from Jan Spencer, Jean Cox & Sue Kawka. Best front nine Barbara Hele, Anne Needham & Rita Gibson 51; best back nine Janet Heal, Dorothy Jefferson & Pauline Goodrich 52.

Four ball team event (home players unless stated): 1st Eileen Toon, B Middleditch, Lisa Tinsley & Sarah White (East Devon) 84 points; 2nd Maxine Adams, Rosie Cirin (Churston), Sue Eames (Churston) & Charlotte Snow (Tiverton) 83; 3rd June O’Dwyer, Llinos Williams, Maggie Coxill & Veronika Hayden-Foster (Tavistock) 79, on c/b from Muriel Waldron, Carol Luscombe, Ann Greenwell & Jan Hayman (Stover); 5th Gillian Down, Belinda McSherry, Jill Durling & Bev Ruth (Tavistock/Holsworthy), on c/b from Maureen Harris, Jan White, Marie Scobie & Claire Carey, on c/b from Sue Walsh, Di Loving, Julie Oliver & Nicky Stone (Bridport); 8th Janet Heal, Rose-Marie Duffield, Lesley Rowe & Georgia Hall (Torquay/West Cornwall); 9th Lauren Pearce, Jane Parkhouse, Helen Huxham & Lucinda Lacey (Exminster) 76.

Pictured above (left to right): 60s themed prizewinners: Maggie Coxill (monthly medal), Caroline Craig, Maxine Adams, Ladies Captain Vonnie Evans, Charlotte Dommett (monthly medal), Val Atkinson (Captain’s Rose Bowl) & Dorothy Jefferson (monthly medal & Captain’s Rose Bowl).

Thursday 4 August 2011

How can one explain the complexity of golf? The ability to play like a dream one day, and the next not to be able to hit the proverbial barn door with a shovel (writes Diane Evitts).

Fortunately for the amateur golfer this question is something that eludes even the golfing greats.

When one’s game hits the doldrums one can either sit it out and wait for form to return – or one can invest in some lessons to sort out the problem. Torquay’s ladies Competition Secretary Val Atkinson will probably think it has been money well spent when she lifted the Captain’s Rose Bowl on Tuesday with a splendid net 67.

Having admitted that her golf has been ‘dire’ of late Val was delighted that her decision to invest in a lesson paid off not only with the silverware but also with a two-shot reduction in handicap.

The continuing dry conditions provided the right platform for a plethora of handicap reductions with seven out of the twelve prize-winners seeing shots shaved in varying degrees.

Results: Captain’s Rose Bowl/Medal: Silver division: 1st Val Atkinson gross 83 (handicap 16) net 67; 2nd Karen Hough 82 (13) 69; 3rd Jan White 84 (14) 70; 4th Sue Bradford 90 (19) 71.

Bronze 1: 1st Ray Evans 95 (26) 69; 2nd Susie Brinsley 97 (25) 72; 3rd Elizabeth Raikes 101 (28) 73, on countback from Kara Bridgeman 94 (21).

Bronze 2: 1st Rita Gibson 107 (36) 71, on c/b from Pauline Wetten 103 (32); 3rd Chris Pring 103 (30) 73; 4th Karen Jamieson 111 (36) 75.

Twos: Sue Wood (11th), Claire Carey (11th), Maxine Adams (2nd), Toni Jones (11th) & Elizabeth Raikes (11th).

Captain’s Rose Bowl Winner Val Atkinson.

Thursday 7 July 2011

It is sometimes difficult to under-estimate the relevance that the mind plays in a game of golf(writes Diane Evitts). Place a medal card in a player’s hand and one bad hole can destroy a good round. Provide a Stableford format, however, and the player maintains their momentum despite failing to score on a couple of holes. The result? Par-breaking scores and handicap reductions.

Sharing the leaderboard on Tuesday were Diane Swift and Rosemary Ashley who both carded a magnificent 41 points. This earned them both first place in their relative divisions, plus a handicap reduction of two for Diane and three shots for Rosemary.

Jacky Martin’s 37 points gave her top billing in the Silver Division. Four players shared the twos pot of gold with Nicole Simonetti getting hers on the par four 9th hole.

Results: County Stableford: Silver division: 1st Jacky Martin (handicap 13) 37 points; 2nd Karen Hough (13) 36; 3rd Sue Baxter (14) 34.

Bronze 1: 1st Diane Swift (26) 41; 2nd Ray Evans (26) 36, on countback from Llinos Williams (24), on c/b from Nicole Simonetti (21).

Bronze 2: 1st Rosemary Ashley (36) 41; 2nd Libby Porter (36) 37; 3rd Jan Reed (33) 34; 4th Pauline Green (29) 33.

Twos: Nicole Simonetti (9th), Di Swift (11th), Chris Pring (11th) & Rosemary Ashley (11th).

Sunday 19 June 2011

LADIES SECTION PRESS RELEASE One of the duties of being a Captain is making decisions, which it is hoped are always the right ones! (writes Diane Evitts). Torquay Ladies Captain Vonnie Evans made a choice when her regular partner Geoff Bates was unavailable for the mixed competition on Sunday by holidaying in Spain. She invited Mike Lees to partner her (writes Diane Evitts).

So far, so good. In fact definitely the right decision as they won the John Price Salver with 36 points. Even better for her new partner it was Mike’s very first venture into a mixed competition and one which he enjoyed, although he does expect to take a bit of ribbing from his mates.

What now though? Out with the old or in with the new? Suddenly the burdens of office have taken on a new dimension when selecting her next partner.

A countback was required to determine the runners-up with Pam Goymour and Lenny Pym taking the back nine from Diane and Malcolm Swift.

In this foursomes Stableford there were no twos so a ball draw was made with some consolation for those who did not make the leaderboard on points alone.

It was a more relaxed affair for the ladies in their Stableford competition on Tuesday although they did have to contend with blustery showers. The telling conditions ensured that no player was able to break par and the competition standard scratch rose by one to 74.

Just one handicap reduction on the day for Diane Swift, whose 35 points was just eclipsed on countback by Pat Mallett.

Results: John Price Salver Foursomes Stableford: 1st Vonnie Evans & Mike Lees (handicap allowance 15) 36 points; 2nd Pam Goymour & Lenny Pym (13) 35, on countback from Diane & Malcolm Swift; 4th Sue Wood & Tony Brinsley (13) 34; 5th Maureen and Sid Harris (15) 33, on c/b from Sally Spokes & Iain Rowlands (17), on c/b from Sue & Chris Yeoman (16) 33.

Results: Ladies Stableford: Silver division: 1st Pauline Goodrich (handicap 16) 34 points, on countback from Maxine Adams (13); 3rd Rose Marie Duffield (13) 33; 4th Karen Hough (13) 32.

Bronze 1: 1st Pat Mallett (27) 35, on c/b from Diane Swift (27); 3rd Shirley Wilson (24) 31; 4th Trudie Cross (23) 30.

Bronze 2: 1st Rita Gibson (36) 30; 2nd Pauline Green (29) 29, on c/b from Pauline Wetten (31); 4th Rosemary Ashley (36) 27.

Twos: Rose Marie Duffield (11th), Sue Slater (2nd), Jean Parnell (11th).

Ladies Captain’s Report

April 2011

At our last meeting I mentioned that the Daily Mail Foursomes would be played on March 1st. Anna and Sally were up against a strong team from Exminster and had to give a lot of shots – unfortunately they lost on the 18th.

Jacky and I wanted to find out how the ladies felt about having new lockers with the hope of having our changing room revamped! Some good feedback:

1. A few questions about the extra cost of having the new lockers.

2. Also the lockers being slightly bigger some ladies had concerns about how many lockers could fit in the changing room.

The Coffee Morning had to be cancelled due to the mist and has been rearranged for Monday 3rd October. However we still managed to raise £100.00 from the raffle, £47.50 from the Bric-a Brac and £45.50 from the Bonus Ball. Well done to everyone who assisted on the day - it was very much appreciated and a good start to my charity.

The Still Cup had a successful trip to Staddon Heights winning 4½ - 2½. Well done to all the players.

The Open Day was a great success with 59 new members in total including 7 new ladies. At present awaiting their details from Colin then I am sure Ann and Toni will be making contact and maybe invite them to an informal meeting / coffee etc: It was a very busy day and a lot of hard work went into the event. I would like to thank the ladies who gave up their day to help.

Nicole and Val played in the County Medal Finals on the 15th April at Dainton – a very good effort was made by both.

The Married Couples and Others Cup were played on a sunny Sunday. Mike and Pauline Goodrich won the married Couples Cup for the 3rd year in a row. Nicole Simonetti and Rod Chapman won the Others Cup.

Vonnie Evans

Ladies Captain

RESULTS:

Club Foursomes and Illingworth Qualifiers 19^th April 2011

1st Elaine Ewings & Pauline Sangster (handicap allowance 22) 71.5 nett

2nd Jacky Martin & Sue Slater (14) 72 nett

3rd Sue Wood & Gisa Ellis (13) 73 nett

4th Susan Baxter & Toni Jones (17) 73 nett

5th Charlotte Dommett & Jill Copping (10) 4 nett

6th Pam Goymour & Llinos Williams (21) 75 nett

7th Sheelagh Dean & Pauline Goodrich (14) 75 nett

Twos:

Sue Wood / Gisa Ellis - 11^th

Illingworth Qualifiers:

Jacky Martin / Sue Slater

Susan Baxter / Toni Jones

Charlotte Dommett / Jill Copping

Pam Goymour / Llinos Williams

Sheelagh Dean / Pauline Goodrich

Chris Lester / Emily Davies

Laura Colman / Philippa Affleck

Dorothy Jefferson / Sue Yeoman