Just over an hour or so from our overnight accommodation we journeyed to our next venue, Chipping Sodbury GC, sometimes misattributed by Dr Spooner. We have played tis course on several occasions and it never disappoints, a lovely parkland layout with several ditches crossing fairways awaiting the unwary golfer. The course was in prime condition with excellent greens but not too quick for most. The club is very successful and has several schemes in hand to improve facilities. The club has had a chequered history, the current layout being the fourth course the club has occupied with their Patron, His Grace The Duke of Beaufort, having opened … [Read more...]

The final tour of the season directed us to our friends from Worcester, this time at the 9 hole course Churchill & Blakedown. This match originated in 1978 played at Exeter G&CC, recorded on our History Web Page whereupon Devon won 4-2, Incidentally this match is also the source of our green blazers when the Devon team, years ago, admired the Worcester team's green jackets and they revealed the supplier to us. On this occasion our Vice-Captain Jeff Laing organised an optional game at Gaudet Luce Golf Club, on our way to the Premier Inn at Stourbridge. This had previously been done by a few members when our tour to Shropshire took … [Read more...]

Both teams, having driven through the predicted heavy squally showers, arrived at Okehampton with some apprehension as to the day's upcoming weather, The result was a win for all concerned with hardly a spot of rain all afternoon. The welcome at Okehampton is very predictable always, warm and friendly and the artisan clubhouse a refreshing alternative to some of the more modern and sterile erections. From Beverley Lawson, the long standing Secretary, to the wonderfully stocked Pro shop of Asley Moon Okehampton offers an excellent service to members and visitors alike. These days the club also offers a few buggies for those who are in need … [Read more...]

From Lyme Regis to Holsworthy, back to back matches with a number of fresh faces in our team. A completely different golf course from yesterday with more pastoral views than seascapes. Once again prior to lunch, home Captain John Bewes welcomed everyone to the club but warned, although the course was in good condition, there had been some problems with their greens and they were not as good as hoped at this time of year. This was to be proved later although, the greenstaff are to be complimented on a decent surface provided by a recent top dressing. The course, not long from the yellow tees under 5900 yards, is very tricky in places with … [Read more...]

Driving toward our venue in sunshine one felt fairly confident that the occasional fog, that can be a problem at Lyme Regis, was not going to bother us today. Although an away match officially, the golf club is only just in Dorset so, thank you to our hosts for arranging such a convenient location for us Devon boys! Prior to sandwiches and chips Dave Picton, Dorset fixture secretary, introduced home Captain Steve Harlow who welcomed all, particularly those who had not yet played the course. Rightly so he predicted the course was in excellent condition, so it proved to be. This is another of our S West courses that offer excellent views of the … [Read more...]

Travelling to Tiverton GC we encountered two veritable cloudbursts, quite the opposite of the most recent forecast however, driving into the car park at the club the sun emerged and was to be present for the rest of the day. The majority of players today had not, as yet, played the newly constructed holes and new layout, what a treat we were to experience! Our friends and opponents from the Principality were grateful for the venue's location thereby shortening the journey time to some degree. Old friendships are always a feature of this fixture and now, second generations are playing. Along with Eric Brown, Peter Vaughan, David Bailey the … [Read more...]

The annual match versus the Stewards of our golf clubs the Golf Club Managers Association, also known to us as South West Secretaries, was unfortunately unbalanced once again. Our opponents were two players short so, the heroes of the day, Cliff Harris and Dave Wonnacott travelled all the way from Libbaton GC to play against one another, Thank you gentlemen, a noble effort by you both, Cliff, playing for DGCs returned a win for ourselves whilst Dave represented GCMA. Although less than ideal they chose a course in splendid condition, quite windy but with sunshine setting the balance. Peter Alliss once famously described Thurlestone as "The … [Read more...]

We welcomed our friends from Warwickshire unfortunately a man down, one of their team was hospitalised a couple of days prior to the match at Churston. Despite efforts by both counties no replacement could be found. Welcomed by Churston Captain Derek Smith, who joined DGCs on the day, some friendships from our previous matches, renewed, not least John Loynton who has filled virtually every office for Warwickshire Captains overtime. John had journeyed down for the day to provide a late replacement and the next day was off to Lords, a real trouper! Unfortunately, to enable a less demanding round trip, Warwickshire had organised their first … [Read more...]

Day two and the venue Mile End GC, literally 3 minutes from our accommodation and 2 minutes from Oswestry GC, no Sat Nave required. As indicated another day, pairings adjusted to allow for those requiring buggies, and an air of application to improve on the previous day's performance. The course was completely different from Oswestry, fairly level walking but greens once again in splendid fettle. Our hosts had very thoughtfully arranged an earlier than usual tee time 11am, thus enabling for most of the Devon team a good time in daylight for the long journey home. The course was indeed much flatter and water present on several holes, some … [Read more...]

Our biennial visit to our friends in Shropshire commences with a long drive for most of the Devon team consequently, many if not all of our players journey gracefully up the day before allowing an agreeable time for breakfast and a relatively short drive to the venue. A number of our players often drop into the marvellous Gloucester Services for refreshment and a comfort break. Arriving at Maes-y Clawwd Premier Inn our team mates, in some cases, were already ensuring the local ales were fit for consumption. With our gathered 14 players, Jeff Steward had to withdraw at the last moment with a health issue and Glenn Page driving up the next … [Read more...]