Bigbury Golf Club
The annual Buckingham Bowl mixed competition between Bigbury and Thurlestone took place on Sunday, May 27.
This year the competition was played at Bigbury and as has been the pattern over the recent week or so, the weather was very good.
There were some close games resulting in a match which was was halved, meaning Bigbury retains the Buckingham Bowl. The halved match is a repeat of last year’s result, meaning this is the third consecutive year Bigbury has retained the trophy.
The Bigbury pair Vanda Irish and Tony Messenger delivered the late point, which resulted in the halved match.
The Thurlestone captain, Barbara Smith, said their team would be looking to wrest the Buckingham Bowl from Bigbury’s clutches in 2019 when they have the home course advantage.
Jane Rickman, the Bigbury team captain, as well as the club captain Liam Kimber, Marlene Johnson (lady captain) and William Barrons (seniors captain), are all very pleased that this special crystal bowl will be staying in the Bigbury trophies cabinet for another year.
Elizabeth Buckingham died in 2004 during her lady captain’s year at Bigbury Golf Club. Elizabeth was a member of both golf clubs and the Annual Buckingham Bowl competition is played in her memory.
A men’s three-ball team event took place on Sunday, May 27, and yet again the weather was very good.
The competition was played off 9/10 handicap and the winners with 83 points were Tony Bunch (16), Peter Hamon (9) and Phil Winder (15).
Both Peter and Phil had a two on the 17th hole and congratulations to them.
The ladies’ Express and Echo foursomes qualifier was played on Saturday, May 26, and 24 ladies competed. The weather was good, and the golf course was playing well.
This foursomes competition is played off a maximum combined handicap of 30.
The Bigbury winners were the Balkwill golfing sisters, Jenny (handicap 25) and Margaret (handicap 29), with a very creditable 36 points.
The foursomes format is known to be a bit tricky and well done Jenny and Margaret.
In a close second place with a score of 34, were Melanie Adcock (19) and Maggie Best (16). The Bigbury ladies wish Jenny and Margaret all good luck in the Finals of the competition, to be played on September 20 at Exeter Golf and Country Club.
On Friday, June 1, the Bigbury ladies’ Devon League team travelled to Great Torrington Golf Club for the return away match, a return journey of some 148 miles.
It was a very hot day and there were some closely fought games, and Jane Rickman, the team captain, said all were played in good spirit.
Bigbury lost the match four and two, but the Bigbury reserve player won her game.
The reserve player’s points can prove to be very important if the division results overall are close when the quarter-finalist places are decided.
This was a good result for Jane and her team.
The ladies’ May extra stableford on Thursday, May 31, was won by Sarah West (handicap 29) on countback from Sally Watts (handicap 33). Both players recorded 34 points.
This was a good win for Sarah, as her handicap has very recently been cut by one shot. Seventeen ladies took part in the competition.