Blue sky and bright sunshine welcomed almost a hundred members to Peter Dunstan’s President’s Day playing on Saunton’s East course.
Having seen the carnage at the recent England Golf Captains qualifier, play was from the yellow tees which, it was hoped, would be a less daunting prospect for most compared to the whites. With many players not having played from the yellows before, some teeing grounds proved difficult to locate!
With the fairways hard and running following the recent dry spell, the driver was left in the bag on many holes, and not just by the longer hitters. The greens too were fast and firm with chip and runs often being the best tactic and downhill putts to be avoided. A true links experience!
Peter, accompanied by his wife, Angela, and next year’s President, Roger Monson, provided very welcome refreshments on the 11th hole, well out of the firing line.
At the end of the round, Peter claimed that this was going to be the easiest that Saunton would play, a statement not backed up by the general level of scoring. Perhaps the niggly northeasterly breeze had a part to play and this was reflected in the WHS playing conditions calculation of 3, the highest possible value.
After the recounting of tales of woe and success in the clubhouse and on the terrace, Peter formally welcomed members and then Ian Black, our Honorary Secretary, announced the prizewinners with customary efficiency.
This was followed by a fine dinner with the usual convivial atmosphere, after which weary golfers wended their way home, with many determined to do better next time.
Results
Full results can be found here
Andrew Bowl
| 1st | Geoff Briggs (Saunton) (PH 15) | 41 pts |
| 2nd | Geoff Pascoe (Exeter) (PH 17) | 40 pts |
| 3rd | Peter Bond (Saunton) (PH 20) | 37 pts |
Scratch
| 1st | Brian Stevens (Libbaton) | 33 pts |
| 2nd | Tony Allsopp (Tiverton) | 29 pts |
| 3rd | Richard Pascoe (Stover) | 28 pts |
Vets
| 1st | Gerald Herniman (Libbaton) (PH 25) | 34 pts |
| 2nd | Steve Ryder (Bigbury) (PH 8) | 34 pts |
| 3rd | John Fairman (Exeter) (PH 10) | 33 pts |
Team winners
Saunton – Geoff Briggs, Peter Bond and Dean Warmington (PH 26) 111 pts
Twos
5th hole – Hamish Marshall, Brian Stevens, Brian Waggett, David Wonnacott
13th hole – Julian Netherway, Geoff Pascoe, Richard Pascoe