Thurlestone Golf Club 4th July 2013
L to R: Peter Dunstan, Steve Gledhill, Bob Knight, Mervyn Spencer
Match Result Devon GCs 5.5 – SW Secretaries 2.5.
This visit to Thurlestone, the first for a few years was eagerly anticipated by all, this included myself a late substitute, arriving at Churston to meet and travel with ” Penners”, ….. an hour early (Senior moment) ! The weather was indeed warm but a little overcast with a stiff breeze, adding an extra dimension to this the “Pebble Beach” of Devon Golf ?. This annual fixture represents Members versus “Staff” possibly and I suppose the Staff can reasonably tell members that “they are on a course” ! The Thurlestone Captain, Mervyn Spencer, welcomed all and set us a poser, a member informed Mervyn that Thurlestone was the only golf course in Devon where the sea can be viewed from every green and tee,……. over to you!
On this occasion “Penners” put on his other golf shirt and played for the Secs. amidst some banter during team announcements. A welcome face was also Dick Marston who for a number of years was Secretary at Thurlestone and a member of the Secs. team. Roy Smith however helped to strike the balance by playing for the Captains “Noblesse Oblige” Teams announced and sitting in our fours we enjoyed soup and sandwiches served by some charming young staff led by the equally charming Lisa Rouse. Our Captain Peter Sun-Tan led the field partnered by Mervyn against Bob Knight and Thurlestone Manager Steve Gledhill. What a treat we had in store, the course in excellent condition, by way of Vic Dyer and his team, played beautifully. The Sun appeared to order and completed the perfect venue for the day, perfect for things like …shorts! Hamish Marshall had quite an experience, in his young history playing for DGCs, when he was partnered with Steve “Bilko” Willcocks the well known prankster from Dainton Park. Steve playing in the multi pocketed voluminous “Cargo Shorts”, this could well be reported on Spotlight soon !
Most matches were very close with three halves but the Captain’s tail wagged strongly and the two backmarkers settled the final result conclusively. Roy,Tim “Foggy” Fogarty the Vice and David Lord winning 3/2. So to dinner, speeches and the Trophy presentation, retained by DGCs amidst good company and banter so typical of all our matches. For my partner Mike Badcock and myself a particular treat to play with Tim Agget, whose ball striking was so impressive. Tim hit a beautiful slow drawing drive on the par five eighteenth and a threequarter wedge to the greeen……….. they walk amongst us. Many thanks to all the staff and members of Thurlestone for their courtesy and welcome, we look forward to returning as soon as possible.
Malcolm Jordain
To view the Teamsheet for the complete result click here.
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- The Captain’s with Martyn Lowry who donated the Trophy
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- The view to Aveton Gifford
