Bob Beeson reports ... A warm welcome from Sidmouth’s President Colin and Captain Paul Lewis greeted the team on another glorious day at this beautiful golf course. After a short delay to accommodate a shortfall of buggies, the 14 man Warwickshire team met up with their Devon opposition over lunch and a friendly 4 ball of Devon captains completed the field. I was accompanied by Paul and as customary, we took on Captain Ron & Ravi in what proved to be a very interesting match on this somewhat unique course. I can’t remember how many times the shot was greeted by “Good shot!” followed  by “My God, what did that hit?” and then “I … [Read more...]

Bob Beeson reports… The tour started with an early departure for most of the team (4 had travelled the day before) as we wended our way to Leominster Golf Club. We were greeted by Captain Bob and Colin, his match organiser for this 2-day competition, and after a light lunch, we proceeded to the first tee. The Captain of Leominister, Jason Stokes , after introducing himself individually to the whole team, then partnered Captain Bob to a convincing win over myself and Val. Luckily, we did not set the trend and Devon finished the day 5-3 up. This was quite an achievement as many matches had the advantage of home player knowledge but as Colin … [Read more...]

Bob Beeson reports I was driven to Woodbury Park by our Fixtures Secretary which was most welcome. As is becoming customary, I forgot certain items - this time my phone with cards & cash along with my specs !! Once again, the Fixtures Secretary came to the rescue with some cash but I soon found out when going to pay for the buggy and purchase drinks that cash was no longer king and payment by card was the only way.  Much to my relief, I was introduced to this year's Woodbury Park captain and my playing partner, Karl Halford, who kindly volunteered the use of his discount card along with the facility to use his card for … [Read more...]

Bob Beeson reports… Well, eventually 16 (nearly) able-bodied Devon Captains made their way to overnight accommodation at the Premier Inn Chichester before moving onto Lewes for our first match of the 2025 season against Sussex Captains. After a team briefing, a glass of liquid libation was taken with the compliments of John Smith, one of the walking wounded who could not make the tour, and we were joined by another late replacement, Neil Sear, midway through our meal. I had been told that Lewes was situated on a hill but nothing prepared us for entrance to the course. After the sat nav told us to do a U-turn, we only just managed to … [Read more...]

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...]