OF ALL the charities supported by Thurlestone golfers over the years the most rewarding is probably Shelter Box, chosen by captains Sue Esplin and David Wadey to benefit from their mixed team event on Saturday.

With its West Country origins and substantial local Rotary support it can be seen to be doing positive good by taking immediate practical relief to disaster areas, instead of going into international funds with no firm idea of just how and where the money is spent.

On a day when enjoyment was as important as playing well golfers of all ages and capabilities were thrown together by the luck of the draw and raised about £200 for the charity. With an excellent barbecue to follow it gave the opportunity to meet members who had hitherto just been faces, and distinctive swings, on distant fairways.

While fun was the main order of the day there was still a competitive edge and, with the ball running well, some impressive scores. None better, it seemed, than the 128 points recorded by the quartet consisting of Ian Jones, Peter Coates, Jane Edmonds and Heather Spencer.

Then in came the very last group with 130 points, after a final flourish over the closing holes, despite having to don waterproofs as the late afternoon brought a smattering of rain.

Captain was nine handicap Simon Davey - who scored a splendid two on the long 13th - ably supported by former ladies captain Lyndsey Fletcher, Inger Reeve and Lincoln Shaw, with an outstanding performance by Norwegian-born Inger who played the best round of her life and will surely see her handicap tumble in the near future.

Nearest the pin prizes were won by Liz Coates and Malcolm Toone.

Earlier in the week it was touch and go whether the men's July medal would be completed. First it was thick sea fog which cleared in time to make a start and then heavy rain which saw the later starters return to the clubhouse thoroughly soaked.

It was not surprising, therefore, that the overall winner was the first out and missed the rain completely. Chris Jones had a handicap of two when the round started but it was swiftly reduced to one after a sparkling performance that took him round in 67 strokes, nett 65.

Rodney Doran, off 12, also had his handicap reduced after a gross 79, nett 67 to take second place on countback from Bill Campbell (9).

Patrick Robinson (20) was top of Division Two with a nett 68, two better than Ron Bancroft (22) and three ahead of Alec Jackson (17).

Lady golfers from far and wide took part in the popular Bronze and Silver Opens with nearly half the prizes staying at home.

Gill Whitehead from Exeter won the Dormer Cup with the best Silver scratch score of 76 and Yvonne Newton from St. Mellion took the Bronze trophy with gross 98.

Other winners were: Silver (best nett) 1 Bridget Lafferty (Thurlestone) 68 2 Laura Tregelles (Thurlestone) 69 3 Pip Fisher (Bigbury) 70 4 Beth Peters (Thurlestone) 71 5 Caroline Theyer (Burnham and Berrow) 71. Bronze: 1 Sally Rossiter (Thurlestone) 36 points 2 Madeleine Fabian (Staddon Heights) 35 3 Karen Graddon (Bigbury) 33.

Beth Peters took the Money Cup for the best gross score by a home player. Nearest the pin prizes went to Shirley Steer (Staddon Heights) and Jacqui Tillott (Thurlestone).

Thurlestone juniors are in the semi finals of the David Agnew Tamar Cup, competed for by eight clubs in Devon and eight in Cornwall, after beating Killiow juniors at China Fleet on Sunday by two matches to one.

Thurlestone had to play their reserves, Cameron Day and George Holland who is only 10 and had never played in a team match before. Playing off white tees, both with 28 handicaps, they put up a terrific fight and only lost on the 17th against 14 and 15 handicappers.

The other Thurlestone pairs, Laura Tregelles and Lottie Holland and Jamie Johnson, and Beth Yeoman, both won their matches