Mike Smith - Bob Webber - Steve Ryder - Arnie Pigeon Bob Webber is having his fair share of sunshine in his match year and today at East Devon was no exception. Arriving early at the golf club the Vice Captain Ben and Graham Heaman were sitting on the terrace enjoying a coffee and looking forward to our visitors arrival. The match against St Pierre Captains is one of our top matches in many ways, the camaraderie, the venues and importantly the renewal of friendships and fun. Eric Brown, Arnie Pigeon and John Jones to name but a few. The return to Budleigh, after a few years, was welcomed by all players. Once assembled and teams … [Read more...]

Bob Clark - Bob Webber - Ted Jones - Ken Leck Ilfracombe for the second time this year and the weather is so much better this time however, the weather hot and sultry and the stunning views from the golf course not much better than last time. Out at sea a heavy sea mist cancelled out the views to Wales and Lundy Island. Nevertheless the golf club always friendly and welcoming readied itself for the annual battle between Players and "Staff". Always hotly contested the surprising news was that the "Secs" were two players short. Fortunately the club came up trumps providing two players for the opponents, Roger Jones and the evergreen Bob … [Read more...]

  Malcolm, Bob, Dave & Peter, the yellow battle ! Once again a number of the Devon team had never played the course, the clubhouse apparently in Dorset but the majority of the golf course in Somerset. One of the impressive features of the golf club the enormous and very well stocked Professional Shop operated by PGA Pro. Geoff Kite. Recent refurbishment of the clubhouse provides spacious accommodation for most events. The course is quite undulating and a number of players made use of the buggies, it was another very hot day and plenty of hydration essential. Several matches were keenly fought but worth mentioning in particular … [Read more...]

The fightback begins here! Roger, Mike, Tony & Bob Day two, very hot and a course familiar to many of the Devon team Bridgnorth GC. With its challenging slopes on the first few holes a good start was essential, particularly the first with a blind second shot if the drive were not well struck. Once arriving at the fourth the more typical holes are revealed, alongside several holes the river Severn providing calm and tranquillity together with the occasional splash from an errant shot. The Devon boys were only 20 minutes from our overnight accommodation so, refreshed and recent results still fresh in the mind and pairings announced an air … [Read more...]

The opening match with Bob and Adrian versus Tony and Ian As is now the custom, for some, a number of us travelled to the venue a day early to bond and trial the local hospitality. On this occasion eleven Captains arrived at Patshull Park to discover a most delightful venue both pastoral and peaceful. A huge lake, alongside the hotel and golf course, afforded a beautiful vista and fishing facilities with equipment and boats for hire, in total the property extended to 275 acres. The benefit of our accommodation was simply that after our first match we did not have to drive to another hotel. Obviously those who chose to imbibe were not … [Read more...]

Looking out of the bedroom window at 7.30 am the match versus Oxford Captains seemed doubtful. Thick mist shrouded the hills with steady rain falling. Arriving at Churston the outlook was not much improved and those players fearing a soaking were busy checking their phones for weather updates. Optimistic, as often golfers are, lunch was served and with teams announced and sitting in their fours, it was my pleasure to welcome all players to Churston. The majority of Oxford players had not played the course before and I had to explain that Churston and other local clubs had suffered an outbreak of Fusarium on the greens. This meant our … [Read more...]

  A glorious sunny day and the course looking in splendid condition, welcomed Devon and Warwickshire Golf Captains to Crediton. David Taylor, last year's Captain and standing in for Crediton Captain Alex Williams, welcomed both teams to Crediton. Warwickshire had problems raising a team so Brian Rice and Vice Captain Ben Lynch were drafted in to strengthen their side. They also had a problem with their Vice Captain falling ill the day before the match. To ensure we had two 16 a side teams tradition was broken and Bob Fletcher's wife, who plays off 11, was added to the visitors side. A problem for Devon Captains, who was to play … [Read more...]

The teams ready for the off, 125 years on! To celebrate their 125th foundation Ilfracombe challenged Devon Captains to a match to mark their anniversary. Leaving South Devon at 9am in sunshine and virtually no wind a fine day's golf was on the cards, arriving at the Northern out posts mist and drizzle was looking quite ominous. Ilfracombe boasts "See the sea from every tee" was today in question, later in the day the mizzle cleared and all was revealed, marvellous. The golf club is typical of the warm, homely and welcoming reception in the area, not a large club but thoroughly well organised, supported and thriving, according to the … [Read more...]

So to the Captain's last hurrah, swansong or finale, rested and refreshed from the toils at Sussex, all dearly wished for a good result at today's venue, Rowlands Castle. Neither Ham Manor or Rowlands Castle had been played by any of the Devon team, or even heard of by most. Today another treat, a lush parkland course well established over its 109 years existence. A very imposing clubhouse of recent build held for us yet another ham, egg and chips lunch, once more after a substantial Premier Inn breakfast, phew again! Good news from the west, our trusty comrade Brian (The Lion) Rice had sped from Devon to fill our ranks and bring the team … [Read more...]

  These days a number of Captains travel to distant venues a day earlier, prior to match day, to bond and acclimatise to the local conditions and test the selection of ales. On our way to the Havant Premier Inn training camp we heard of a "man down" situation! Neil Hayman telephoned the Captain to inform him that influenza had stricken him low, the problem where to find a reserve at this late juncture?  Subsequent to many urgent calls none were able to travel so, a good friend Mark Terry, Secretary of Sussex Captains, agreed to play for Devon, hurrah. With this welcome news revealed the Devon athletes were able to continue with their … [Read more...]