On tournament days like this a great deal of preparatory work is required, the only detail that cannot be planned or induced, weather. Arriving at Churston at 7am to be greeted by our Professional Harry Mayers and Manager Matt Gill we were encouraged by blue skies and a good forecast. Shortly afterwards my two good friends Lew Easter and Chris Morton, arrived,, Chris arriving back in the UK at 1am from Greece. Setting up the inevitable laptop these days, Harry had offered to set the competition using intelligent golf to allow the competition as a qualifier, this I accepted with both hands. It prevented me from having to write over 100 cards, … [Read more...]
Devon Captains v Hampshire Captains. Thurlestone GC. May 5th 2022
There are few days at Thurlestone Golf Club when one would experience the venue and the course to be more inviting to the visiting player. The sun shone and a gentle breeze produced players without sweaters necessary and shorts, for those revealing OOB white posts at first glance. Surprisingly, not only some of our visitors but several of the home team playing the course for the first time. As many will know the sea views, available from every hole, and off course views of the tidal Burgh Island and inward to Aveton Gifford providing countless opportunities for camera phones to exhaust their batteries. Add to this the neighbouring Bigbury … [Read more...]
Devon Captains v Worcester Captains. Yelverton GC April 28th
Having all arrived safely at Yelverton and meeting up with our guests Worcester Captains Kevin Norris, Captain at Yelverton welcomed everyone to the club. Pairs announced we enjoyed soup and sandwiches prior to first tee time at 1.30. The first hole, a long par three, introduces the course before crossing the busy road for the remaining 17 holes of moorland golf. The course was in fine condition with greens fiery and fast running true. with mobile obstacles throughout (cattle and horses). The only complaint was on the 12th hole where the horses decided to take a dust bath in the fairway bunker and failed to rake the bunker thereafter. We … [Read more...]
Devon Captains v Sussex Captains, Sidmouthn GC, April 21st 2022
Peter Brookshank - Graham Heaman - Joe Angella - Jonathan Lee Originally this match was scheduled to be played at East Devon GC but, due to unforeseen circumstances the match had to be moved, Sidmouth GC were contacted and kindly agreed to hold the match there, with everyone contacted we arrived at a sunny Sidmouth for lunch at 13.00 hours. Jonathan Lee, last year's Captain at Sidmouth, standing in for the Sidmouth Captain currently on holiday, welcomed everyone and passed on relevant information about the course. First tee at 14.00 hrs, the match was played in sunny conditions with a light wind, the greenswere as per normal running … [Read more...]
Captain v V. Captain. Exminster GC. April 14th
The first match of the new season saw 31 intrepid captains travelling to Exminster golf Center. At Captain grahams home club ,for the Captain V Vice captains match. Captain Andy Carr the present Captain of Exminster welcomed everyone to the club . This was the first time a Devon golf captains match has been played at Exminster with several members Playing there for the first time .while Exminster is a nine hole course playing off the white tees there are eighteen different tees. Everyone enjoyed the course ,which was in great condition with good and fast running greens . Having played we then retired to the club house for … [Read more...]
2021 Christmas Newsletter
Devon Captains’ 4BBB Final. Stover GC October 28th
Quintin Payne Cook - David Taylor. - Downes Crediton - John Fairman - Keith Parnall Exeter At last the final of the inauguraL 4bbb county wide match play was able to be played. A combination of unavailability and Covid had caused several postponements previously. Unfortunately this is also the time of year when some courses implement the very necessary course maintenance programme, and so it was at Stover! However, that was totally accepted by our four finalists and for the first four holes they all managed to overcome a couple of temporary greens and top dressed main greens. Then the threatened rain began to fall, moderate to heavy … [Read more...]
CAPTAIN’S DAY. EXETER G&CC. SEPTEMBER 16th 2021
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...]