Malcolm Jordain writes …
One of the uppermost thoughts for Jeff Laing was, as always, would the weather be good? His prayers or hopes were to be rewarded with a very good day for golf, not too hot with a fair wind adding to the golfing test ahead!
Jeff and Ian Black welcomed us all with cards ready with current playing handicaps, a Titleist golf ball, suitably printed with the day’s event. Added to this a ‘Return again voucher’ to play the course again as a fourball, much appreciated. Jeff also included a ‘Nearest the pin’ on some holes. The consistent feature, always present at Libbaton GC, was of course the friendliest of welcomes from the Herniman family and their staff, Gerald Herniman also played in the Tournament.
So to the course, our recent visit against the Devon Juniors impressed many with the quality of the greens and today was no exception. The greens were of very good pace, very subtle slopes with the best tip probably “stay below the hole if possible”. Overall the course was in very good order particularly when considering the greenstaff is basically, two ! The returned scores will testify that Libbaton is no pushover and this was confirmed with a Playing Conditions Calculation of 3 for the day. The number of members playing was somewhat disappointing with only 61 contesting and slightly fewer staying for dinner and the presentation, together with the AGM.
For those of us lamenting our front nine, Jeff was in attendance with Ian Black, on the tenth tee providing a welcome distraction with savouries and confections in plenty. Accompanied by drinks both alcoholic and soft, the course warriors, refreshed and slightly numbed, continued with their challenge. Thank you Jeff.
To amuse the punters, subsequent to their arduous efforts, Jeff had also arranged a chipping competition with practice ‘air balls’, great fun and much barracking from the onlookers sampling the Otter ales and other libations. Showered and changed we were called to order and the presentation to the winners commenced. A popular winner from Stover, John Bailey, the winner of The Bowering Salver and fairly unusually the Secretaries’ Salver also. Bravo John. The AGM followed in true Bill Savage tradition – brief, efficient and no AOB.
The final event of the day, dinner, and with the club’s consistent reputation, we were not disappointed – a choice of starters, an excellent and tasty carvery, followed by a choice of desserts. Jeff concluded with his thanks to all concerned on the day. Ian Black’s first tournament for us was without problems and here’s to the next time – Peter Dunstan’s President’s Day at Saunton GC on Thursday 15th May 2025.
Results
Vets (over 65)
- Chris Grubb (Sidmouth) 33pts
- Neil Hayman (Stover) 32pts (on countback)
- Brian Steer (Libbaton) 32pts
Secretaries’ Salver (over 10 years membership)
John Bailey (Stover) 36pts
Scratch
- Brian Stevens (Libbaton) 30pts
- Rob Tickell (Saunton) 29pts
- Andy Carpenter (Stover) 26pts
Bowering Salver (overall)
- John Bailey (Stover) 36pts
- John Fairman (Exeter) 34pts (on countback)
- Mike Smith (Libbaton) 34
Nearest the pins
- 9th in Two – Phil Webb (Ilfracombe)
- 11th – Mark Jeffery (Torquay)
- 17th – Alan Taffinder (Churston)