The Farrington Park Mixed Section held their third "Major" competition in perfect weather conditions last Sunday.

Sixteen couples competed in the Four Ball Better Ball Stableford format, played off an 85% handicap for the Paul Harwood Trophy. The new World Handicap System percentage for this format of the game sounds like a steep reduction, but the final scores belied the competitors’ initial reservations, as many of the teams scored over forty points.

The Duchy course was in great condition after all the inclement weather of past weeks and the “run of the ball” was welcome on the longer holes for all the players.

Two teams scored 45 points each and must have been thinking that they had a chance to win the trophy, fifth place went to Pierce and Terri O’Shea, who were beaten on countback by Martin and Jackie Walker.

Birdies at the eigth and eighteenth holes helped secure third place for Steve and Jane Ball with 46 points. The top two teams scored 47 points each and countback had to be employed to separate them. Dave Forshaw and Kay Clarke had nine pars and one birdie to finish in second place. Rosi Brown and John Ward had eleven pars and one birdie and a back nine of 24 points just swung the points in their favour to make them the 2021 Paul Harwood Trophy winners. Jane Ball