Report on Somerset Golf Captains Away Weekend – Carlyon Bay Hotel and Golf Club, St Austell – 30 September to 1st October 2023
The last weekend of September 2023 was not only the Ryder Cup weekend, but also saw the inaugural “Away Weekend” meeting of Somerset Golf Captains and their partners, held at the highly rated Carlyon Bay Hotel and Golf Club in Cornwall.
In all 18 people attended, seven couples and four past Captains by themselves. The general feel was one of a house party, in a traditional hotel with pre-dinner drinks prior to sitting at two round tables in the art deco dining room where we enjoyed first class food. The Hotel was a wonderful place to enjoy each others company after a long golf season and to say hello and thank you to some very understanding partners in a lovely social setting.
As it was the Ryder Cup weekend our Captain (David Bate), challenged Captain Elect (Mike Rossiter), to select a team from those assembled. The teams were announced prior to play on the Saturday morning, together with the format: the total of individuals Stableford points to count towards their team’s score over the two rounds. David had bought a trophy for the successful team, with him wishing that it will become a perpetual trophy and something for each new Captain to champion.
The scores were very close after the first round: the Captain’s Team had a total of 220 Stableford points and the Captain Elect’s Team with 225. Following the second round on the hotel’s course, which was presented well with greens that were a little slow, everyone managed to finish in time to see the grand finale of the other Ryder Cup in Italy. Prior to another excellent dinner, the final result was announced, again it was close, with the Captains Team having a total of 458 points and the Captains Elect team having 461.
Captain David wishes to thank all the people who supported this first event, and he expressed his hope that it will continue into the coming years, as the end of season grand finale, at a venue selected by the year’s Captain. Hopefully this golf and social occasion will become a permanent fixture in the Somerset Golf Captain’s Diary. Make note for next year everyone!
