This additional fixture to our season was for the best reason, Bigbury Golf Club’s Centenary celebratory week. The week included a Pro-Am the previous day whereupon the course record was created by Jamie Clare, Long Sutton GC, with an excellent 8 under par. Consequently the home Captain, Dave Graddon, warned of tricky pin positions but the course was in ‘mint’ condition. So, with a mixture of Past Captains and Seniors’ Captains, completing the Bigbury team, friendly battle commenced on a warm sunny day. The course was indeed in good condition and not uncommonly hard and fast running fairways, for those who chose to use them! The greens were also in good order although probably not with the pace of the previous day.
From the Devon captains perspective, it was a pleasure to see Richard Hutchings making his first appearance in a match, furthermore those members making one of the longest journeys within the county from ‘up North’ , David Barker, Ian Edwards and deputising for Jeff Laing as photographer Cliff Harris, not forgetting our Captain Phil Webb. With the exception of one or two matches the results were quite decisive Richard Hutchings, playing with Bob Beeson narrowly avoiding the dreaded ‘dog’s licence’. This was not the case for Ian ‘Rover’ Edwards and Neil ‘Chum’ Hayman suffering a very rare canine defeat at the hands of Dave Wain and John Cooke, both receiving 6 & 5 shots from Neil.
The fairly inevitable result was however with much banter and humour, what’s new, but competitive and several ‘gimmees’ missed. Congratulations must go to Bigbury members for sustaining their club, through some difficult times on occasion, for 100 years. The course as many will know is not amidst many chimney pots so the membership is dependent on loyalty, to sustain and provide a confident future, this they have achieved it would appear. The day ended as always with a pleasant meal together with our opponents and the necessary friendly speeches from both Captains. Good wishes from us all for the next 100 years.
Malcolm Jordain
