Jeff Laing writes ... Having decided on a new approach to our matches against Devon Juniors, all our future matches will be played at the incumbent Captain's course and will take in the last week of school summer holidays to allow for what is always an entertaining and refreshing match to take part in. This year's venue is one of North Devon's challenging parkland courses, Libbaton GC - a course which was new to many of our juniors as Devon County are reluctant to move much further north than the A30 for their matches. It was obviously going to be a very fine day with light winds and blue sky. The course was in excellent condition … [Read more...]

Jeff Laing writes ... With only 3 matches to go before my captain's day, having collected my passenger, we took the relatively short journey to our next away venue at Weston-super-Mare GC to be welcomed by our hosts, Somerset Captains. As always familiar faces, together with some very welcome new players in our hosts' team, soon got together for our lunch of sandwiches and chips.  Following lunch play got under way, once we had absorbed the views of what must be one of the flattest courses in the UK. As predicted by the home captain, the greens were of good pace and with the MacKenzie greens offering acceleration with a downhill putt, a … [Read more...]

Our friends from Gloucestershire had played a match against Cornwall Captains at Trethorne GC the previous day and had had a reasonably short journey to Honiton GC. On arrival, we were all concerned that the weather was against us as we were surrounded by hill mist and a bit of drizzle. The mood soon changed with the sun making its appearance and the arrival of a plentiful chips and sandwiches prior to play, with the odd glass of refreshment. The day, although warm and sunny, proved a little challenging with fast running fairways and greens with hidden breaks. As always, the Honiton staff were welcoming and helpful and excellent hosts for … [Read more...]

Our trip to the Salisbury and Wilts GC to play Wiltshire Captains was our furthest away match that wasn’t included in a tour this year.  The 2 hour plus journey on the troublesome A303 became more of a challenge than normal when the Captain, who fortunately had arrived early, was informed that the tee times had been brought forward an hour earlier than expected. After some hastily made phone calls, the odd heavy right foot and some quick rearrangements, a quick lunch was eaten (by most – sorry Bob), tee times were met and the match was under way. Another match being played in glorious sunshine soon changed the mood in the camp and … [Read more...]

After the postponement of the usual curtain raiser to the season earlier in the year, 36 players descended on Libbaton GC to take part in the annual hard fought competitive match. The teams arrived to glorious sunshine and a well presented course which was a new experience for many of the gathering players. Teams had been drawn by Captain Jeff and Vice Captain Bob prior to the event and pairings were arranged to balance the number of strokes given as much as possible. After sitting down to a good lunch, the combatants moved off to the first tee where battle commenced led by the pairs of the Captain and the Vice and their partners. The … [Read more...]

Malcolm Jordain writes ... Our only ‘International match’, other than Cornwall. has always been at St Pierre. The match was originally instigated by the late Ron Pope (St Pierre) and Henry Paget (Teignmouth GC). St Pierre Captains have for many years played matches versus Stover & Teignmouth, hence the progression to this long standing fixture. Many friendships have been forged as a result of this match versus the Welsh Warriors, the likes of Eric Brown, Arnie Pidgeon, Peter Vaughan & the mighty George Lowe expressed their sadness as this was to be the last match against St. Pierre Captains. Next year and onwards the match will … [Read more...]

Jeff Laing writes ... Being well past the half way mark of our friendlies, our next trip into the unknown (for some) took us to Yelverton GC.  This is a superb moorland course which incorporates some of the old mining works that sprung up around Dartmoor and the leats that were the idea of Sir Frances Drake to fresh water to the city of Plymouth.  For members who have yet to play Yelverton, I can highly recommend it. After our usual lunch, both teams set off in glorious weather (for Dartmoor).  The course was in excellent condition and has recovered well from its problems incurred over the last couple of years with fairways in good … [Read more...]

Although it was a shame we had to wait for the longest day for it to arrive, summer greeted the team at Looe GC to face the “auld enemy”. With bright sunshine, clear blue skies and a friendly welcome in the clubhouse, confidence in retaining the Bob Webber Trophy was high. After a lunch of a plentiful supply of sandwiches and chips, the teams set off to the quirky 1st hole, a challenging par three guarded by well-placed bunkers and a tree in the line of play.  For those of you who have yet to play Looe, you will find an interesting and challenging venue with some great views towards Bodmin Moor and out to sea to St George’s Island. The … [Read more...]

With loins suitably girded following the previous day's defeat, the Devon team faced familiar faces at Teignmouth and, for the first time this season, came out on top by winning 4½ - 3½. More to follow ... … [Read more...]