By Dave Bruce

Axe Cliff Ladies held their Scratch Cup & Handicap Cup annual competitions last Wednesday and it proved to be a very close event.

In the Scratch, Stella Thompson won with a gross 94 just ahead of Sandra Walker, taking second, with a 97. Captain Paula Heasman came third with 110. In the Handicap Stella & Sandra swapped positions with Sandra winning with a net 69 and Stella with a net 70.

The following day three ladies took part in the Devon Venerable Vets Championship held at Honiton. Pauline Willis came second on countback, in Bronze Division Two. Stella also did well to take fourth place. In Bronze Division 1 Sandra Walker just missed out in the placings. Well done ladies.

The Seniors were treated to a wonderful Captain's Day last Friday with brilliant weather and excellent course and green conditions, thanks our Course Manager Alex and his hard-working team. Captain David Lacey did us all proud with goodie bags given to all on the first tee and welcome fruit and snacks and drinks at the 11th to keep us going in the heat .

Not only were two trophies up for grabs, being The Captain's Day Shield for the lower handicappers and the Cooper Shield for the rest of us but other prizes including nearest the pins, a straightest drive on the 15th and even a mystery prize on certain holes.

Former Captain Terry Jessup helped David's raffle before we all went out and sold £190 of tickets all going to David's Charity, Seaton & District Hospice Home Nurses, which does a tremendous service for our local community.

In the presentation in the clubhouse afterwards David, helped by his vice-captain Steve Thompson, thanked all concerned with the running and success of the day and presented all the winners with their trophies and generous prizes.

John Purdy won the Captain's Day Shield with 40 points leaving Simon Wellington and Stuart Mackie to take second and third places respectively with 37 points and only separated on countback. 

The Cooper Shield was won by popular Phil Clarke who is a relatively new member coming to us from Aberystwyth in West Wale. In third spot with an excellent 38 points was one of my playing partners Mark Wisby and great to see him playing well again. The other prizes were : 6th Hole, nearest the pin in two - yours truly; 11th nearest the pin - John Hanna; 15th straightest drive - Stuart Mackie; mystery holes prizes - Nigel Tarr and Phil Clarke. The only twos of the day were scored by John Hanna and Bill Polley.

My wife Sharon was delighted with all my winnings, including a meat voucher and four raffle prizes, including wine which helped towards my 79th birthday barbecue celebrations on Saturday.

On Sunday the men's section also held their Captain's prize competition, which was won by Stephen Reed on 40 points. Second and third went to a countback with both on 39 points. Andy Jeffrey ( nice to see him back with us on the staff) took the honours from young Andy Trivett.