Ben Lynch – Elizabeth Ward – Janet Emery – Bob Webber
Where to start, back at Staddon Heights where the SSS differential provides four additional shots for our fair opponents a tough match was in store for sure ….hmmm, what an understatement ! In the oft repeated words of Brian Clough, “we started badly and then fell away”. Subsequent to last year’s narrow victory and several years under the cosh, victory was not essential but certainly a desirable outcome. Popular Ladies Captain, Janet Emery (Stover), disarmingly friendly and vivacious led her ladies from the front winning her match 3/2 with a broad smile and a concealed stiletto . Worse, much worse was to follow, with four of the first five matches in favour of our femme fatales delivering convincing defeats, Roger (Rover) Monson and Bill (Bonzo) Seath receiving the dreaded “Dogs licence”
On the plus side the course, albeit dry and hard as most other golf courses, had very acceptable greens in very good condition, not fast but medium paced and true. The current conditions for greenstaff a nightmare trying to balance survival of greens and the expense of watering, simply to allow greens to survive. The stunning views off course are hard to surpass, especially on such a day with brilliant sunshine and clear skies. For many of us this was very welcome helping to dull the acute pain of comprehensive defeat. Our fair opponents thoroughly deserved their winning margins and we must congratulate them all, David Thompson, Roger Cooper together with John Bailey and Graham Heaman bravely fighting back to ensure a “Whitewash” was avoided.
Next year the return match at Teign Valley GC offers only a two shot differential I believe so, perhaps we may be able to give the ladies a better response to this year’s overwhelming defeat. Thanks all round, from both Captains, for all involved for a very enjoyable day ended with Ben Lynch presenting a cheque to the club for the benefit of the junior section.
Malcolm Jordain
Result sheet for Devon Ladies Captains 6th August 2018
