Happy faces but no cigars! This year's event was even bigger with 13 teams, some from as far away as Surrey and Suffolk. The Devon boys were all off earl yon the Wednesday morning which meant some of us had to leave home before dawn to ensure we got there in good time. We teed off in typical Saunton weather, howling gale with rain looking very imminent,the conditions for playing were very tough to say the least. To make things even more difficult the rain of the previous week had made the fairways much softer than we usually see at Saunton, a consequence of this being that the ball didn't roll anywhere near as much as usual making every … [Read more...]

  Well, after many weeks of preparation, worry and then several sleepless nights my Captain's Day arrived. The number of entrants had been a major concern but, thankfully they turned out to be ok with 74 members entering. Not brilliant but much better than we thought it might have been a few weeks earlier. I was amazed how many people couldn't attend due to hospital or doctors appointments, had just had a procedure which prevented them from playing, were on holiday, had gone to Gleneagles to watch the Solheim Cup or had grandchildren they had to look after. All acceptable and understandable reasons. Now living 54 miles away from … [Read more...]

John Burrow presenting Geoff Pascoe with the Andrew Bowl Arriving early at the golf club all seemed to be going swimmingly, players arriving on time in spite of the Devon County Show doing its best to hinder drivers. Weather looking very promising, as forecast, what could possibly go wrong? Our venerable and very respected Secretary Roy Smith had the great misfortune to stumble and fall, whilst returning from the Duckworth Suite where our presentation and AGM would later be held, prior to dinner. Here we must pay tribute to Exeter G&CC staff for their immediate and efficient management of this potentially serious situation. Their first … [Read more...]

The victorious Devon team. (David Barker the resident giant in the background) Weather, always a key factor when playing Saunton, was benign and user friendly in the extreme. The elements, relatively warm and the wind a mere zephyr, did not however reflect in the scores generally, winning score averaged 33.33 per pair. The course as always in good order, the greens, recently top dressed, were not quite as speedy as usual but considering the tournament was earlier than usual and it was March, very good. Once again many of us were able to renew friendship and acquaintance with our visitors from other counties. So, 144 players could not have … [Read more...]

THE DEVON TEAM   The final event of the 2018 Devon Golf Captain’s calendar took place at Saunton GC on Wed. /Thurs. 10/11th October. This event normally comprises of 12 counties but for some reason there were only 11 counties in it this year. We put a strong team together, which included several Saunton Captains, in the hope of regaining the trophy that we last won in the inaugural year, 2016. It was an early start for all the Devon boys on the Wednesday as our pairings were the first off on both courses along with the guys from Wiltshire. The weather very un-Saunton like with glorious sunshine and temperatures of 20C+, however we … [Read more...]

Captain's Day at Exeter G&CC is an excellent venue for such a day, practice facilities particularly good with an excellent short game area available. The squash bar providing excellent casual dining and refreshment area and in the evening the Duckworth Suite perfect for a hundred or more diners. Lew Easter and myself arriving at 7.15 to discover Roy Smith, Captain Ben Lynch and Vice Brian Rice already there preparing for the day. It's an enjoyable experience running the reception desk on the day, greeting old and new members to the day. In total 104 players on the day, proving Exeter to be a popular venue. Brian Rice had checked out … [Read more...]

The Winner of the Andrew Bowl Rick Clark   Presidents Day 2018 results   President's Day started, as always, with our ubiquitous Secretary Roy Smith first on the scene re-arranging the furniture to set up the reception desk. This year Roy was very kindly, and very gratefully, chauffeured by long time friend and past Captain Mike Badcock (Stover & DGCs). Thank you Michael from all of us, as we all know Roy's a precious commodity and worthy of being looked after. On the day also present, from very early on, Chris Morton, Lew Easter and yours truly all happy to help, unfortunately not contributing to our scores, as … [Read more...]

The annual six counties tournament at Saunton GC on 29th March, East & West courses, took place as scheduled. Unfortunately the first tournament of the year, the team championship, on March 1st had to be cancelled because of snow. The six counties commenced with steady rain, lasting around two hours. Despite the continuing poor weather the golf courses were in excellent condition the greens, even for Saunton, were fast and true particularly for this time of year. As always old friendships were readily acknowledged with players from the other counties, new players from all teams quickly discovered the badinage and humour that accompanies old … [Read more...]

    Captain's Day, the best and the worst day of the Captain's year. Concern over the arrangements for the day, weather in particular, and all the details you've thought through many times. The best is yet to come, the player's arrival, the renewal of acquaintance and welcoming new members, sunshine! Arriving shortly after 8.30 am, Lew Easter and I discovered all the team ready to go, we were to run the desk for Roy, Richard Bowden acting as starter, with PA (posh). The catering team, led by Kerry and Wayne already beavering away in the kitchen but still able to provide baps or breakfasts for those early starters requiring … [Read more...]