Arriving at Exeter G&CC at 6.45 am I discovered the club didn't open until 7.am however, the forecast was good and I could already see the efficient Lisa Newbury had already set up the registration desk in the Sports Bar, a good start! Setting up early allowed the players current handicaps to be achieved, using the England Golf App, in my opinion a step in the right direction. I realise the WHS is not to everyone's liking however, on occasions such as this players were processed fairly smoothly and, if they so wished, could set up a qualifying scorecard with the benefit of a measured course, albeit the Yellow tees. The Captain arrived … [Read more...]
Devon Captains’ v Somerset Captains’. Teignmouth GC. September 2nd
Keri Allchurch - Peter English - Stephen Butterfield - Graham Heaman The final match of the season and just two weeks prior to Graham's Captain's Day at Exeter G&CC, the venue Teignmouth and our welcome visitors, Somerset Captains'. As always familiar faces, together with some very welcome new players in our visitors team, it was also very nice to see Trevor Tape back in Devon colours after some while. Two players from the home club, Peter English currently Captain at Teignmouth, who warmly welcomed our guests fom Somerset and a Teignmouth legend, Ian Bulpin. Following tasty soup and sandwiches play got under way, once the visiting … [Read more...]
Devon Captains’ v Devon Ladies’ Captains’. Downes Crediton GC. August 26th.
Something you may notice immediately, where is Stevie Foster's partner? Apparently, before the team pairings were announced, Stevie knew she was to be one lady short in her team. Bravely and propitiously Stevie elected to play her opponents alone, but, in separate matches each match to count as a point. Subsequent to homely and satisfying sandwiches and chunky chips play commenced in fine weather and a brisk breeze, perfect! The club always provides a warm welcome from some stalwarts of Devon golf, the ever youthful Barry Austin forever a prominent PGA Professional in Devon, unbelievably now a Senior. The Greenslade family with Devon, also a … [Read more...]
Gloucester Captains’, Tour Day 2. August 19th. The Players GC Bristol
Day two and just over an hour to the Gloucester venue, the very testing Players Club, water some long carries and many challenging holes, a very good test of golf. Gloucester Captains' always seem to be able to field a strong team and today certainly the case. There were one or two close matches but most were decisive results in favour of our hosts. The course most certainly rewards familiarity, several holes rather difficult to select appropriate lines. I believe there were a number of comments as to the suitability of such a demanding course, personally, I enjoyed the course however my failing memory, having played there 5 or 6 years ago, … [Read more...]
Worcester & Gloucester Tour, First Day Worcester Captains’ August 18th Droitwich GC.
The final tour of 2021 is a relatively new one, in existence for only a few years, and now in the preferred order, Worcester first day returning to Gloucester on the second day and therefore closer to home! Our travelling athletes usually drive to the Premier Inn base a day early, in order to bond and acclimatise to local ales and wines. On this occasion just seven of us gathered just outside of Worcester and seven miles from the following day's venue. We last played Droitwich GC ten years prior, personally I remembered very little of the course, in some parts the course is very undulating and my buggy, shared with the Captain, a welcome … [Read more...]
Devon Captains’ v Wiltshire Captains’ Stover GC August 5th. 2021
Returning to Stover GC again, after hosting President's Day earlier this year, for literally this evergreen match, green also the chosen hue for our visitors blazers and ties. The dining room at dinner resembling a palette of luxuriant foliage, with the odd bloom punctuating the verdant landscape ! As ever a number of friendly faces from within our visitors team, previously experienced on the golf course, were very welcome to a golf course in pristine condition. The staff as always, friendly and efficient, both in house led by David and Paul and in the Pro Shop led by Andy Fox. The match was not without incident, even before the first … [Read more...]
Devon Captains’ v Cornwall Captains’. Staddon Heights GC. 22nd July 2021
The season rolls onward and, after the scenic coastal views from Ilfracombe GC, behold Staddon Heights GC perched aloft Plymouth Sound and Drake Island. The panoramic views from most fairways are impressive and interesting with an active marine interest for much of the time spent gazing from the golf course. The urban sprawl of Plymouth city does nothing to detract from the fascination of activity within the Sound, including a rarity these days with a Royal Navy frigate returning home, from a much reduced fleet nowadays. Our neighbours from Cornwall always bring with them a competitive but enjoyable 'edge', present in most sports between … [Read more...]
Devon Captains’ v St. Pierre Captains’ Ilfracombe GC 16th July 2021
Alan Beach - Matt Richardson - Joe Morgan - Graham Heaman Our annual match, much anticipated by those of us ready to welcome valued friends and familiar faces from the splendid St Pierre, also an international fixture! Ilfracombe GC the venue as always affording a warm and generous welcome to all, led by affable Dean Richardson and his excellent in-house staff. Dean, resident steward, bar and catering franchise holder, has given impeccable service and quality catering of high standard for fifteen years. Witnessed by way of Phil Webb, a regular supporter of DGCs and Ilfracombe Gc, who confirms the marvellous support Dean receives from … [Read more...]
Devon Captains v Dorset Captains
Weymouth Golf Club Collecting my partner for the day, and good friend Lew Easter, we left Dartmouth at 9.15 expecting a journey of about two hours to a course most of our Devon team mates had never played, Weymouth Golf Club! As it was it took two and a quarter hours, with substantial traffic along the A35. Arriving at the club it looked to be a lush parkland course and an impressive clubhouse overlooking the practice putting green and alongside the first tee. The traffic took its toll on a few of our travellers arriving with little time to spare. We were warmly welcomed by our hosts with a mug of coffee, followed by some … [Read more...]
Devon Golf Captains v S.W. Secretaries
Woodbury GC. July 6th Glenn Page -Paul Hayburn - Gareth Evans - Graham Heaman The day started with players arriving at Woodbury GC having one eye on the lowerering skies looking filled with imminent rain! Fortunately, that rain did materialise but although in relative proximity, not whilst our visitors were engaging us in battle on the golf course. Despite very heavy rain, the previous evening, the course was in very good order albeit with the odd few areas a trifle wet. Greens in excellent condition with good pace, all things considered, and putted well. Our annual adversaries arrived with a player short, the result of 'track and … [Read more...]
