A very early tee time at West Cornwall necessitated a number of Devon alarm clocks to be set for 5.30 or thereabouts. Apparently there are a few changes in the Cornish administration taking place and somehow the early start materialised! Arriving first, after a swift journey from Dartmouth, my frequent fellow traveller Lew and I arrived early and enjoyed a first class full English breakfast, Cornish style. As both teams arrived old faces and friends from Cornwall were welcomed with the usual banter and leg-pulling. Many of the Devon team were experiencing West Cornwall GC for the first time and therefore were needful of guidance from the hosts, this of course was freely given. The first impression gained from the course was most certainly the stunning views off course, Hayle and St Ives bathed in glorious sunshine. The course brown, hard and running many yards, sometimes not in the right direction, greens were showing how finely balanced growth and survival are being managed.
Prior to the first tee time “Cinderpenners” discovered his shoebag was in fact his washbag, a bonus for the Proshop with a new pair of “dancers” purchased by Michael. Also on the first a typical seaside “smash and grab” an ever vigilant seagull snatched Lew Easter’s bacon bap , wrapped in foil for consumption later, and, joined by more gulls proceeded to feast. Ted Rockey, Lew’s partner, decided to exact revenge and drove his ball straight into an offending gull who promptly fled the site sated but dizzy perhaps! The golf course definitely benefits local knowledge and another visit would perhaps realise that notion, viz one of my opponents John (rabbit) Stanforth with a handicap of 20, 19.6 as John insists, receiving 13 shots and using most of them together with local knowledge a’plenty, a great character and currently responsible for rebuilding the Cornish Captains website. Most of us walkers were extremely tired come the final holes, good hydration absolutely essential three or four bottles of water not extreme.
The clubhouse a virtual oasis with shade and local ale welcome to all, win or lose. Dinner, served rather earlier than usual, was indeed delicious well cooked roast pork and masses of vegetables with a choice of moreish desserts to follow, well done caterers and thank you. Last year’s Captain Bob Webber was surprised last year, when Devon won at Elfordleigh, to discover there was no trophy for this fixture. Bob decided that such a trophy would be nice and subsequently purchased a shield which he presented to both Captains. Thanks and results announced the Devon boys started the long drive home with thoughts of retribution at Holsworthy GC next year.
Malcolm Jordain
Result Sheet for Cornwall Captains 2nd August 2018