Our biennial visit to our friends in Shropshire commences with a long drive for most of the Devon team consequently, many if not all of our players journey gracefully up the day before allowing an agreeable time for breakfast and a relatively short drive to the venue. A number of our players often drop into the marvellous Gloucester Services for refreshment and a comfort break. Arriving at Maes-y Clawwd Premier Inn our team mates, in some cases, were already ensuring the local ales were fit for consumption. With our gathered 14 players, Jeff Steward had to withdraw at the last moment with a health issue and Glenn Page driving up the next morning bonding commenced. As always the badinage and previous tours experiences were exchanged, even though some were repeats of days gone by!
As is now accepted as normal match day provided blue skies and warm sunshine, Unfortunately many golf courses are not benefitting from what has become a mini drought. Oswestry GC was no exception, fast running fairways flattered even the shortest hitters off the tee. The venue was about five minutes from the hotel enabling a leisurely start to proceedings. As our opponents arrived a few familiar faces were recognised and, as usual, our Salopian friends provided a warm welcome and a well filled bacon bap. Teams announced, subsequent to buggy requirements play got underway.
Oswestry, a course some of us had played before had a number of blind holes and local knowledge was to prove of value. With the fast running fairways producing extra length understandably most green keepers are carefully tending their greens with a balance of cutting and watering to protect their main commodity. As a result the greens were of modest pace but in good condition, I can only assume that our Devon Boys had not quite come to terms with the greens when reading the results. The star of the day however was our doughty Vice Jeff who with the assistance of a Shropshire ‘bandit allegedly’, stepped in to provide a full complement for Devon ironically named Alf SHEPHERD, beating the opponents lowest handicap player Tony Green 5 & 3 !
Players returned from their contests requiring hydration and, in some cases, to lick deep wounds Bob Beeson and Lew Easter narrowly avoiding a bowl of Pedigree. The Salop Captain Colin, a charismatic chap, ended the appropriate speeches with Phil, also a cheeky chappie, having to deliver the sad result for Devon. However tomorrow is another day and returning to our hostelry to reflect, regroup and further invest in alcoholic therapy, bring on Mile End GC, the next day’s battle arena.
Malcolm Jordain
