Ladies Who Launched At Libbaton So here we were, the final match of the 22 season, Graham's final match of the year and his final match as Captain. The match against the ladies is one of the highlights of the season, competition combined with light banter, humour and a discrete wish not to lose, on both sides. As always a warm welcome from the Herniman family and staff is assured and never disappoints Gerald and family a continuing success in Devon Golf clubs proprietors. As ever the replacement players required, seven in total I believe, from the team sheet initially distributed. Teams announced play commenced on what was a pleasant … [Read more...]

A number of the Devon team had not previously played Cricket St. Thomas or, the course previously known as Windwhistle GC, prior to its re-branding in 2014 by its new owners. The course, moderate in length by todays standards, is currently undergoing changes to three holes however, the home Vice-Captain described the current holes being played, in detail. Nice sandwiches and a plentiful supply of homely chips, enjoyed with the two Somerset Captains with whom we were playing, allowed a pleasant period of 'getting to know you' before engaing on the golf course. I believe course knowledge and good choice of pairs handicapping helped more than … [Read more...]

Arriving at Dartmouth G&CC, subsequent to a ferry crossing and passing through a very busy Dartmouth on another fine sunny day, it was no surprise driving down to the clubhouse to see the familiar straw coloured hard, dry fairway. How all courses desperately need substantial amounts of rain to recover to the green and lush fairways more familiar to us living in the south west. Entering the clubhouse and recognising a number of faces from past encounters, particularly Ian Smith and Rex Parry, immediate past President and current President, both staying on site with their wives, colleagues and friends of Tudor Joseph, past Captain at … [Read more...]

After the usual challenge of finding a parking spot near the Tavistock clubhouse, on entering the bar area one was greeted with a sea of red shirted Dorset Captains  who had played at Looe Golf Club the previous day.As Devon Golf Captains were a man down due to a computer “glitch” and Dorset had a similar problem the Captains hastily rearranged the matches to accommodate all those present and John Hirst was recruited for the opposition!The Tavistock catering team provided lots of sandwiches and plenty of chips prior to the golf and the warm weather provided the ideal golfing environment and shorts were definitely the order of the … [Read more...]

This match was part of the 125th Anniversary celebrations of Saunton Golf Club's foundation, another milestone in this prestigious club's history. Upon arrival a pleasant surprise, Saunton's Ladies Past Captains were also playing a separate match, on the West Course, versus Devon Ladies Past Captains, a very good idea. Trevor Reynolds was given the honour of Captaincy throughout this special year of celebrations, a popular decision I am sure. Trevor's contribution in the golfing world is pretty well peerless including, Secretary at Saunton GC, County Secretary as well as President of Devon Golf, SW Counties and other positions in golf too … [Read more...]

This was a match with a difference! Our opposition were clearly finding it difficult to raise a team of 16 as they requested we reduce the numbers to twelve a side and a week or so later told us they would be playing with just ten golfers. They also informed Devon Golf Captains that the dinner would be informal with smart casual being the order of the day. Accordingly, we sent ten of our finest to the lush green parkland course that is Launceston, only to find that Mike Penlington was playing for the South West Secretaries which prompted much to be expected banter.After a generous lunch that consisted of excellent sandwiches and mountains of … [Read more...]

The ongoing rivalry, albeit very friendly, between Devon and Cornwall in sport and all things else, including jam and clotted cream, continued at Trethorne Golf Club near Launceston. Upon arrival the friendly banter commenced immediately with old adversaries picking up wherever left last, good fun! The complex at Trethorne is very well provided with an hotel on site, practice and conference facilities, its sister club in Devon, Boringdon Park also under the same management. For this match against 'the Old Enemy' Captain Graham Heaman was unfortunately not available but was admirably represented by Vice-Captain Phil Webb affording him a … [Read more...]

Players arrived at the impressive Exeter Golf and Country Club hoping for a dry and sunny afternoon which they duly got although it was a little breezy. Once again Devon Golf Captains provided the opposition with players to make up their numbers from the nine they brought to Devon. Captain Graham again managed to put matches together so everyone could enjoy the course which was in splendid condition as it had been prepared for a Pro-Am the following day. After a buffet style lunch golf was a little slow on the day as lots of ladies from the Devon Lady Veteran Golfers Association were out immediately in front of us, but the Course Marshall … [Read more...]

Wayne Broom - Roger Thomas - Graham Heaman - Ron Pugh Just a week before the match was due to be played our Fixtures Secretary, Mike Badcock received an email from the opposition captain saying they would only be bringing nine players instead of the usual sixteen. The Captain and Vic-Captain were then left with the onerous task of finding seven additional players to make up the opposition numbers. This was duly done only for three of our players to pull out within 48 hours of the match, but Captain Graham managed to cobble together eight matches some of which were two against one and we prevailed, winning 4 ½ to 3 ½ . Honiton Golf Club … [Read more...]

Arriving at the impressive Finham GC, via the long manorial drive, was for us returning players a treat to relish. Founded in 1887 the club have hosted innumerable championship tournaments and events including Open Qualification. The golf course is a very mature parkland layout with room to spare, beautifully maintained with superb greens already producing good pace this early in the season. On this occasion we were generously provided with a 'guest player' by our hosts, thank you Rob Stokes. Given that Neil Hayman was to play with Rob a strong pairing however, in a closely fought match the 'scratch pair' went down by one hole? The weather … [Read more...]