The only tour of the year took our tourists to two new venues, the first The Wychwood Golf Club, previously known as Lyneham Golf Club. Ten of our intrepid tourists decided to pioneer the area, by way of travelling a day early, staying at The Cotswold Hotel Golf & Spa where previous tours had been well looked after two years previously. With new Captain & Vice Captain, Ben Lynch and Brian Rice debuting their roles and duties, research and bonding were essential. Unbeknown to our valiant athletes a 'Lynch Mob' lay in wait for us. The next morning it was discovered that our golf venue was closed, Roger Sillence the Oxford … [Read more...]

Bob Webber welcomed our visitors from Hampshire to Woodbury Golf Club in this his final match before retiring at Tavistock next week on President's Day. Gregor Crum, the current Woodbury Captain, also welcomed our friends from Hampshire who conveniently were staying at the onsite hotel, on their way to play Cornwall Captains the following day at Truro. Gregor paved the way for all when he announced, on this occasion, winter rules would apply 'through the green'. So it proved to be, much of the course still very wet and consequently buggies restricted to the cart paths. The greens however are well on the way to catching up with their normal … [Read more...]

As is evidenced by the fixture list, this annual bun fight should have taken place on April 10th. This and other matches, as we all know too well, had to be postponed because of terrible weather this winter. With recent drier conditions the match has been squeezed in prior to Bob Webber finishing his year at Tavistock next week. Fortunately, for some of us, buggies were available enabling a full field of 40 players, with some eight or so substitutes from the original teams, many thanks to them! The course, as is with many others this year, is not yet at its best but has generally recovered well from rain and snow. The usual badinage … [Read more...]

Our good friends from Sussex arrived at Saunton to find a rather calm day, compared to their previous two days at Mullion GC and Bowood GC in Cornwall. Cold and very misty conditions had apparently created a need for some Cornish beverages to forget physical suffering. The pleasure when playing Saunton is greatly enhanced when the weather is not part of the overall test, such was the case on Thursday. Playing the East course, many of our visitors for the first time, was a real pleasure for all. The greens, not far from their best, were a joy to putt on and overall the course in excellent condition, when considering the weather of late. … [Read more...]

This year's match, much anticipated by some, took us to Holsworthy GC last visited a few years ago versus Cornwall. All Captain's approach both matches with some trepidation fearing a loss and some leg pulling from previous Captains. Bob arrived with such optimism having already secured a victory versus "The Old Enemy". The first round had Bob on the back foot with the Ladies negotiating the three shot differential to be added AFTER the calculation and a Bisque each, this meant some hefty shot allocations to be dealt with. Despite some ominous clouds and an "iffy" weather forecast lunch was taken in the friendly atmosphere of the club … [Read more...]

The last day of Summer and the penultimate match of the year for Bob Webber, affording some welcome respite prior to him completing his Captaincy in 2018. The match against the Ladies next week at Holsworthy and the October Counties Tournament at Saunton but more importantly Captain's Day at Sidmouth on 14th September the only remaining events in 2017. The venue for our match Exeter G&CC, recently re-designed the course even better than before! Our visitors were very impressed with the Manorial setting and clubhouse, arguably the most sophisticated in the county! After soup and sandwiches and teams announced play got underway. Regnant … [Read more...]

  Tony Edge - Bob Julier - Stefan Kotlarzewski - Bob webber Refreshed, replenished and replete our tourers head North some 75 miles to our next venue, Churchill and Blakedown GC, Worcester. This venue is unusual for those of us who are fortunate to play in matches, a nine holer. Not everyone would maybe choose a nine hole course to play however, this one is rather different with eighteen totally different tees thereby creating 18 entirely varied tee shots. The attractive clubhouse sits above the opening few holes and providing enough evidence to give thanks to those of us that had reserved buggies, at a very reasonable cost £14. … [Read more...]

Mike Slater - Steve Spicer - Bob Webber - Clive Reynolds The final and newest tour of 2017 demanded, for some, a last "bonding" on the evening prior to the match at Chipping Sodbury GC. Seven, mostly septuagenarians, elected to travel and stay at the hotel the day before the match. This is a new tour event combining the two Counties matches in place of the original one day matches. In future it is hoped to reverse the fixture thereby playing Worcester on the first day followed by Gloucester on the way home. Those of us choosing to stay the extra day were fulsome in their praise of staff at this Premier Inn, very efficient, friendly and … [Read more...]

A well anticipated match by many against, "The Old Enemy" Cornwall, this year returning to Elfordleigh as the venue. As referred to by Brian Rimes later in his speech, all sports are keenly contested when the adversaries are the boys from the other side of the Tamar. The first observation to be made is the residential locations of some players, for instance Bob, the home Captain, over 50 miles from the golf course and Brian, Cornwall's Captain a mere five minutes along the road. Brian's appearance in various events possibly makes him a Cornvon or Devwall qualification, Brian's contribution to golf over the years  significant and appreciated. … [Read more...]

The return to the Warren GC as a venue to welcome our visitors from Wiltshire was of interest to them because, as mentioned in his welcoming address to all, Tony Rooke described the course as the only "Links" course in the South of the County. Tony, immediate Past Captain, conveyed the Captain's apologies for not playing because something called "Work" was his problem on the day. Tony also informed all that flood defensive work was in operation affecting the 6th & 7th holes with one temporary tee and green. Predictably four reserves were gratefully included, also some infrequent match players were included on the day Glenn Page a first … [Read more...]