Playing golf in the South West is, at the moment, somewhat akin to living and playing in California or similar, waking in the morning and becoming accustomed to every day being the same hot, dry and sunny. However, most golf courses in this country are just not equipped to deal with these conditions. Arriving at the usually lush Stover golf club it was not surprising therefore to discover somewhat arid conditions. Good husbandry by the greenstaff meant that the greens had recently been top dressed and not quite as pacy as one would normally expect. Our visitors were on their way home after having played Cornwall the previous day at Bowood GC, … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2018
Devon Golf Captains v Shropshire & Herefordshire. Tiverton GC 2nd day.
Andy Bolt - Brian Rice - David Barlass - Gordon Jamieson Day two and entertaining our visitors today at Tiverton GC, nearby their overnight accommodation. Apparently their journey from Honiton to their hostelry was not without incident and humour, the Sat Nav route discovering some Devon "main" roads had grass growing in the middle! This had the knock on effect for some by substantially reducing ale research and testing, some of our friends from SH&HGC shocked to discover their overnight hosts closed their bar at 11pm, resulting in some team members appearing to be thoroughly de-hydrated. Nevertheless there was an underlying … [Read more...]
Devon Captains versus Shropshire & Herefordshire Captains, Honiton GC. 13th June
David Barlass - Brian Rice - Wref Digins- Richard Board. As always a warm welcome at Honiton Golf Club from Adrian Cave the golf director and Max Pipe, currently Chairman of the club, following the much respected and tireless ambassador for the club the late Alec Gosling. Unfortunately the Captain, Ben Lynch appeared hor's de combat, complete with cane and unable to play! The ebullient Vice Captain, Brian Rice, therefore moving up to lead his men on the day. Ben welcomed Shropshire and Herefordshire to Devon and the club followed by Honiton Captain Richard Board. After a tasty lunch of soup and sandwiches Brian (the lion) Rice led his men to … [Read more...]
Devon Golf Captains v Warwickshire Golf Captains at Olton Golf Club, Solihull.
Refreshed, breakfasted and for some a good night's sleep, for others disturbances of enormous proportions with snoring and sleep apnea abounding, the tourists left for Solihull some 45 minutes North. Arriving, and with some trepidation with regard to the gloomy atmosphere of foreboding thunder and lightning, our hosts thoughtfully brought forward lunch and tee times and a two tee start. This was hoped to avoid the upcoming weather and get us underway home as early as possible, excellent! The course, once again unknown to most of us, was delightful and in very good condition. A parkland layout with large and very good greens putting well … [Read more...]
Devon Golf Captains v Oxford Golf Captains at The Wychwood GC
The only tour of the year took our tourists to two new venues, the first The Wychwood Golf Club, previously known as Lyneham Golf Club. Ten of our intrepid tourists decided to pioneer the area, by way of travelling a day early, staying at The Cotswold Hotel Golf & Spa where previous tours had been well looked after two years previously. With new Captain & Vice Captain, Ben Lynch and Brian Rice debuting their roles and duties, research and bonding were essential. Unbeknown to our valiant athletes a 'Lynch Mob' lay in wait for us. The next morning it was discovered that our golf venue was closed, Roger Sillence the Oxford … [Read more...]