LAUNCESTON Seniors team travelled to Stover on June 1. As is often the case with Devon clubs the match was restricted to 6 pairs per side. Early morning rain stopped before the start and only light showers occurred during the latter stages. At the home match Stover had failed to win a group but they reversed the situation on their course with Launceston similarly unable to record a win, luckily however the final three groups achieved halves leading to a 4½ to 1½ loss but an aggregate win for the season of 7½ to 4½.

Results: Robin Johnson (Cpt) & Derek Ratcliffe lost 1 down; Gerald Cramp (V/Cpt) & Tim Johnson lost 3&2; Brian Ben-David & Morley Brown lost 1 down; Paul Roach & Jim Manson halved; Rodney Duke & David Napier halved; Derek Davey & Pat Johnston halved.

On Tuesday the 9th the popular Duchy Shield was held in good weather on a well presented course. It is a 4 ball better ball open competition with a handicap limit of 24 and it attracted a record 144 players from many clubs.

McCarthy & Stone generously sponsored the event with a contribution towards the prizes which enabled the club to lay on a splendid winners' table, three of their staff were present throughout the day to answer any questions and also to hand out the prizes to the many winners. The caterers laid on a running carvery for groups as they finished from around noon to the last groups at 6.15, much appreciated by all.

As usual Peter Howard administered the event from start to finish and kept the results board up to date. Apart from the main competition players were invited to take part in a putting contest which raised £100 for Cornwall Air Ambulance, an appropriate charity as the ambulance had been called to the course a few weeks earlier. Seniors Captain Robin Johnson caused some consternation when opening the prize giving by announcing there would be a Longest Drive prize as this had not appeared on players cards, in the event this turned out to be for a competitor who had travelled from Dunblane. 18 pairs achieved 2's resulting in 8 golf balls each. Of the 9 main prizes 7 were for Launceston groups showing home advantage does work. The winners of the Duchy Shield were Glen Timmins and Richard Garvin from Launceston with a creditable 42 points.

Results

Duchy Shield winners: G Timmins & R Garvin (LGC) 42.

Leading Visitors: K Westaway & C Davis (Whitsand Bay) 41; B Ben-David & P Roach (LGC) 41; M Gee & T Seabourne (LGC) 40; G Nevitte & D Ratcliffe (LGC) 40; T Johnson & G Cramp (LGC) 40; M Raine & D Napier (LGC) 40; P Fisher & P Lyons (LGC) 39.

Nearest The Pin: 4th A Truscott (St Austell); 9th, A Muir (Bude); 12th, L Maberley (St Enodoc); 15th M Gee (LGC); 17th, T Ridgewell (Teign Valley).

Over 75: E Symons 10 holes 18. Putting: D Bundy. Longest Drive: B Stock, Dunblane GC, Scotland.

The friendly match at Bigbury on the 11th was abandoned after a few holes due to mist.