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 somewhat in the eventual out come. The old high and low handicaps in 4bbb still has merit in pairings and proved so in a number of games. Particularly noteworthy was the presence of our relatively new Secretrary, Geoff Pascoe, playing in his first match, since assuming the role, together with Phil Webb. This was to become a pairing to rememember because they were the only pair to succeed, well played gents !
The course was in one aspect quite remarkable, at the moment, there were many green fairways! I’m sure most will affirm that all the courses recently played show only green grass on the greens or on the dinner plate. For all that the ball was still running prodigious distances and a few of the shorter par fours eminently reachable with a good strike, not necessarily with the Driver. Not unusually Devon had three replacements from the original team selected and Somerset also needed replacements, Nigel Phillips standing in on the day and leaving home quickly and inadvertently with his blazer and change hanging in his hallway resulting in his enforced purchase, from the Pro shop, of a new shirt! Another very enjoyable day meeting up with old foes and acquaintance renewed with familiar faces and new ones well met.
Thanks by both Captains to the club and members for the use of the course and the facilities culminating in the presentation of the carved wooden trophy with the Somerset Wyvern from Graham to Rob. The season’s match finale next week at Libbaton GC, versus the Ladies and the handicap negotiations prior to play, Bisques ?
Malcolm Jordain
