Visiting Sidmouth to play our match versus Somerset was enhanced by the fact that today was Roy Smith's 90th birthday. A remarkable age achieved by a remarkable man! Everyone was very happy to sign a card wishing Roy a very happy birthday. Our friends from Somerset arrived a little early, enabling a tasting of the local ales together with some very tasty sandwiches and chips. In the absence of Graham Heaman, Vice Captain, Bob Webber was entrusted with starter and photographic duties which of course he is well used to. The weather was mercifully far better than the previous day, dry, warm and a little breezy. Those who had … [Read more...]

After a good night back at our hotel we had a pleasant journey, importantly going toward home, we arrived at our venue Landsdown GC, known to several of us from previous matches. Fairly easy walking and adjacent to the racecourse, tree lined and parkland. Most were confident that the forecast was to be relied upon, dry and moderately windy. Our hosts were very welcoming and a very nice light luncheon set everyone up for an enjoyable match, Gloucester quite keen to reverse the match result at Torquay GC last year. The first three matches comfortably going Devon's way the Captain's optimism was understandable, how we flattered to … [Read more...]

The Devon tourists, heading for the training ground at the Premier Inn, Evesham, understandably had both eyes on Carol Kirkwood and her weather pointers for the following day! Dire, the forecast and several doubting Thomas's, yours truly amongst them, were encouraged by our ever optimistic Captain to remain positive. Quite miraculously we played the whole round without even a drop of rain! Our venue, a nine hole course in the midst of 125 year celebrations, was another unknown to all Devon players and a good number of our opponents. Played from two sets of tees most holes were substantially different from first time around. With the … [Read more...]

This annual match versus the ladies is always popular, keenly contested and good fun! This year's venue, Teign Valley GC, not visited for some time and in some aspects somewhat changed, to those of us not having visited recently. The hotel now just a shell, after the fire a few years ago, is apparently now scheduled for replacement later this year. The bar and lounge area rearranged and user friendly, together with very friendly and efficient staff. The golf course reflected the lack of rain, as do many others, with the greens in good order and putted nicely. The weather forecast was not too accurate and some mizzle was experienced by most … [Read more...]

Returning to Holsworthy GC meant that a few Cornish players lived closer to the venue than some Devon opponents. Always assured of a friendly welcome from the club, one of the owners was on hand to ensure everything ran smoothly. An earlier start ensured some benefit to those of us traveling from distance. A couple of late substitutes, Mike Badcock and Lew Easter, were paired together and provided a handsome win for the hosts. This however was not reflected throughout the rest of the team, matches one and two came in with a point each but Devon had to wait for the final match providing a welcome half. The course varied considerably, in … [Read more...]

Result Sheet Wilts. 2019 "Thank goodness for 'Satnav' ",  was the considered comment from some of our visiting Captains from Wiltshire. Not the easiest golf club to find perhaps but worth the narrow lanes and some reversing to witness the excellent views both inland and seaward. As usual a number of familiar faces were included in the Wiltshire team from a good number of the County's golf clubs. The catering at Bigbury probably rivalled any food we have enjoyed so far this year, the snack lunch with a very good selection of sandwich fillings and a plentiful supply of chips. Dinner an excellent 3 course meal, both tasty and in fulsome … [Read more...]

Jo Morgan - Barry Shipton - Mark Thomas - Brian Rice We welcomed St.Pierre Captains to Tavistock GC on an almost perfect golfing day, warm but not too hot and a nice cooling breeze to keep us all comfortable. The course was very challenging and all shots needed lots of thought due to the ball travelling much further than usual due to the firm ground, hate to say it but rain would be welcome on most golf courses.  It made a nice change to have a match that had no problems with team numbers although St. Pierre did have to field a few ‘ringers’ to make their numbers up.  Lots of old acquaintances were renewed and some very close matches … [Read more...]

The venue Dainton Park, where we always receive a warm welcome, and of course whatever the result all are guaranteed a win with the promise of excellent food after the match. Unfortunately a misunderstanding between the match organisers resulted in Devon arriving with 16 players and SW Secs, Golf Club Managers Association, South West Section, to be precise, with only 12. Our resourceful Captain decided that two of our company would play for the visitors and against two of our members, to be decided by lot. Four of us needing to play in buggies were the obvious contenders, hence, Mike Badcock and I, playing for Devon, played against our … [Read more...]

Another new venue for many of our Devon players and playing on a Monday! This allowed Mike Penlington an opportunity to play, first time for ages, with a day off from his family duties. It was also very nice to welcome a couple of newer members, Cliff Harris and Brian Steer. The course in very nice condition despite the very dry spell being experienced by all golf courses, a very friendly welcome from the reception team at the club together with our friends in Dorset Captains. The course, not overly long at 6000 yards is balanced by some very tight holes tree lined and local knowledge a real benefit! Some stunning views across the Purbecks … [Read more...]

  Day two and a return to an oft visited venue Bridgnorth GC, with rumours rife of an eclectic nine hole course being compiled to allow some play, bottom lips were distinctly obvious! Arriving at the course, deep joy a la Stanley Unwin, course fully open and what's more buggies were on, hurrah. Bridgnorth, for those unfamiliar with the course, is particularly challenging with the first two holes steeply sloped, also the eighteenth for those that reached there. After the steeply downhill par three third the course changes dramatically into a gentle fourteen hole parkland course. Unbelievably dry in very many areas it was difficult to … [Read more...]