DAVID CANNINGS has spent a lifetime moving the metal from his car showroom forecourt.

Now, recently retired, he has found an equally rewarding pursuit - hitting stylish woods from the fairway.

The weekend's freezing conditions phased him not one bit, "I play better in bad weather," said David, who now lives in Yawl.

In the monthly medal, he scored the lowest net score of 55 over a reduced course to win Division Two and the next day he came second in Division Two of the seniors' monthly Stableford.

Playing off 23, David had warmed up with three weeks of golf in the Spanish sun and even though the ice-packed English greens were a contrast, he still managed to hit his putts "fairly fast and positive" and it paid off.

His only grumble was a missed putt on the 15th on Monday. The temporary hole was the size of a bucket but David missed it from only a foot away, which cost him first place.

It was David's first competition for 18 months, but he is determined to improve on that and he boldly forecasts that he will be an 18 handicapper by the end of the summer. But he would say that - he's still a larger than life car salesman at heart.

Division One winner was Paul Dike, 67-8=59, followed by Stewart Scott, 73-12=61. Runner up in Division Two was Kerry Austin, 72-16=56.

Seniors Division One leader was new member David Hadwin, with 32 points, followed by recent Wellings Trophy winner Bob Green, 30 points and Derek Wenn, now from Colyton, 29 points.

Ian Duncan, playing off 21, took Division Two with 35 points and in third was Charles Stewart from Newton Poppleford, 33 points.