Captain Dave Smith reports ... The Devon Captains welcomed the Devon Juniors to Yelverton on a rather overcast but dry day. The Juniors, led by team manager Mark Sangster and Junior Captain George Inch, joined the Devon team for the traditional lunch of sandwiches and chips, during which the teams were announced, with only one Devon pair giving shots. The junior pairs included 14 single figure golfers, with 3 of them better than scratch, so the Devon team had a match on their hand. The opening match was Yelverton Captain Nick Arundel and myself against the top Junior pair of George Inch and Jack Thorpe, both with plus handicaps. … [Read more...]

Dave Smith reports... The Devon Captains welcomed Gloucestershire Captains to Okehampton on another glorious but extremely hot summer's day. Okehampton Vice Captain Adam Cook, who was kindly standing in for his Captain, welcomed both teams, and provided some valuable advice on playing the course in the prevailing conditions. Anyone who has played Okehampton will know the ball rolls off the sloping fairways in normal conditions, and with the hot weather and baked ground, the roll is exaggerated. Prior to the traditional lunch of sandwiches and chips, Gloucestershire Captain Trevor Stewart and myself announced the pairings, which on paper … [Read more...]

Captain Dave Smith reports … The Devon Captains received a warm welcome to Marlborough Golf Club by club captain John Ivory and Wiltshire Vice-Captain Andrew Hunter. Team pairings were announced following a light lunch of coffee and bacon baps. To get things underway, the opening match featured myself and DGC stalwart Hamish Marshall playing John and Andrew. The Marlborough fairways were looking a shade brown, but holding up well in the current heat waves with the upshot being the ball rolled for ever. The opening holes were nip and tuck with each pair winning alternate holes, until the 6th when the Devon pair broke the … [Read more...]

Dave Smith reports ... On another glorious summer's day, he SWC captains were welcomed to Churston by Churston Captain Ian Curnoe. SWC Captain Wynne and myself then announced the pairings before a light lunch of sandwiches and chips. The opening match featuring myself and Churston Captain Ian Curnoe, gainst South Wales Coast Captain Wynne Walters and Dave Bailey got proceedings underway. The first hole is a long par 3 and the Devon pair were in immediate trouble with Wynne hitting the green, leaving himself a 6 footer for a birdie, which he promptly sank to put SWC 1 Up. As the match continued around the course, the SWC pairing … [Read more...]

Dave Smith reports ... DGC welcomed Dorset Captains to Ilfracombe on a glorious summer's day without a cloud in the sky and no cooling breeze. Ilfracombe President Iain Neale welcomed the Dorset Captain Phil and the Dorset team and commented that he hoped they would enjoy the quirky course, and asked for comments about the course after the match. Prior to the traditional lunch of sandwiches and chips, the teams were announced which, on paper, looked very competitive. The opening match featuring myself and DGC Secretary, Ian Black, playing Dorset Captain Phil Purvis and Barry Moore got proceedings underway, the first hole being the … [Read more...]

Captain Dave Smith reports ... DGC travelled west in misty conditions to Perranporth on the North Cornwall coast where thankfully the mist had lifted, but the skies were somewhat overcast. DGC were welcomed by the Cornwall Captain Jim and following a early lunch of sandwiches and chips the teams were announced. The opening match of myself and DGC stalwart Richard Pascoe against Cornwall Captain Jim Mckenzie and Dave Goodman got proceedings underway, the first being a friendly half. Jim and Dave guided us around this challenging course with many blind shots, and despite the best efforts of Richard, the DGC duo were 4 down with 5 to … [Read more...]

Dave Smith reports ... The second tour of 2026 was played in Herefordshire. 12 players opted to have a warm-up round on the way up country at the Forest Hills Golf Club, a pleasant parkland course, and despite rain for the first few holes was enjoyed by all. Day 1 Arriving at the highest course in England, Kington Golf Club, the Devon contingent was met with drizzle and overcast conditions, so the anticipated views were a bit restricted.  DGC were greeted by the Herefordshire and Shropshire Captain Ken and during the traditional lunch of bacon bap with coffee, the teams were announced with some minor pairing changes due to … [Read more...]

DGC welcomed Worcestershire Golf Captains to Dartmouth on a pleasant end of May day. I welcomed the Worcestershire Captain Martin and his team, and introduced Dartmouth Captain Kevin Hoare, who gave a welcome on behalf of Dartmouth Golf and Country Club. The opening match featuring myself and Dartmouth Captain Kevin, playing Worcestershire Captain Martin, and Roy Everett. The Worcestershire duo adapted to the tricky Dartmouth track well, and after both Kevin and I made a ‘mare of the twisting 4th hole (said to be the hardest par 5 in Devon), they took the lead and slowly took command of the match. Eventually being dormie 3 down as we … [Read more...]

Captain Dave Smith reports ... The first tour of 2026 got off to a rocky start with the M5 being closed at Exeter, which resulted in half the team being delayed in getting to Haddon Hill and missing the warmup game. Dinner was taken at Haddon Hill before travelling to the hotel for a relaxing evening in the bar for all, except Bob Beeson who was on tenterhooks watching Arsenal on his iPad until the final whistle blew. DGC v Oxfordshire 19th May Arriving at Mapledurham, DGC were greeted by the Oxfordshire Captain Ollie and during the traditional lunch of bacon bap and coffee the teams were announced. The Mapledurham course was in … [Read more...]

Dave Smith reports ... The second intercounty match for 2026 was played against Sussex Captains at Elfordleigh Golf Club, with sunny weather, but near gale force winds. Having passed the match sheet, and score cards with printed labels to Sussex Captain Andy Plowright, I went to confirm the catering arrangements. On my return to the bar, a Sussex captain called me over and asked if I could read the wording on his jumper, which I did, then he looked at his scorecard with raised eyebrows…… I had left “Hampshire” as the opponents from the previous match. Thankfully the Sussex team thought it was amusing. I welcomed Sussex Captain Andy … [Read more...]

Dave Smith reports ... The opening intercounty match for 2026 was played against Hampshire and hte Isle of Wight Captains at Libbaton Golf Club, with the weather looking to be dry but overcast. Captain Dave welcomed Hampshire Captain Terry and his team, and introduced Libbaton Vice Captain Nick Lee who gave a welcome on behalf of Libbaton Golf Club. The first match featured Dave and Nick playing Hampshire Captain Terry Glynn and Vice-Captain Paul Childs. Captain Dave’s attempt at getting things moving quickly resulted in a rather embarrassing breach of protocol, with him driving off first instead of inviting the visiting Captain … [Read more...]