The long journey East to Sussex and adjacent to Eastbourne was in itself a tour de force in itself, a hard slog for the drivers with no fast flowing motorways for most of the journey. Even for the fleet footed President a five hour trek from Churston ! However once arrived, for our two night stay, at the Polegate Premier Inn the usual banter, ale and wine tasting soon put the journey far behind our intrepid team of adventurers. With a few newer tourers in our midst and very welcome they are, Bill Hammett, Dave Smith, Rick Clark & Malcolm Hughes to name but a few. After a typical Premier Inn meal, very reasonable and good quality, a tremendous shock, causing several members to visibly pale, last orders from the bar at 9.55 !!! Because of the lengthy drive and some octogenarians present, the protests were muted and our travellers shuffled off to their rooms for rest and the welcome arms of morpheus.
Next day refreshed and breakfasted we welcomed two valiant souls who had driven up from Plymouth on the morning, Rick and Dave! With the golf course just three miles down the road time had to be used wisely to avoid the temptation of local ales, some were easily persuaded. So to the course and the pleasure of meeting up with old adversaries and the new ones yet to be encountered. Mark Terry, an old friend no longer Secretary of Sussex after 19 years service, is now installed as Captain this time at Seaford GC, have a good year Mark.
The golf course, originally designed by JH Taylor then redesigned by the great Doctor McKenzie in the 20s I believe, was set in what can only be described as a bowl. There were a number of holes that crossed foreign fairways and our opponents wisely directed us where to pause whilst other players drove or played their fairway shots across our bows. The greens were of decent pace for early season and generally the course was in good condition. The dinner thereafter was very good and appreciated by all, as always decent food and greens are always well received by golfers everywhere, hence although few had previously heard of the course the general approval, even though we lost the match was positive. Brian “Waggs” Waggett and Malcolm Hughes showed true Devon grit winning their match 6&5 Steve “Spiceman” & David Jack the only other winners.
Malcolm Jordain
