There was no evidence of wind in the clubhouse as the players from Somerset and Devon met for their annual Past Captains match. However this was not necessarily true when we went out to the first tee. A 20mph wind blowing right down the course made many players think twice about the clubs they would have to use.
In the first group, and in his last match as Captain of Captains, Marcus Woodward partnered Rob Darvell as they played against the Devon pair of Dave Smith (Captain) and his partner Jeff Steward. The Devon boys played very well but the Somerset team were in the lead as they went down the last. Dave used his shot on the 18th to record an honourable half.
Good company with some excellent golf let David Bate and Simon Waddington win 4 and 2 against Phil Millar and Hamish Marshall. All enjoyed the course which was in great condition and both teams did not notice the wind!
A steady start from Keri Allchurch and Paul Chesney from Somerset which included a birdie at the 5th from Keri only caused Ian Black and Mike Pennington from Devon to greater things. At the 8th they took the lead for the first time and then won 4 of the next 5 holes. The shot of the day came from Ian at the ninth where Ian’s tee shot hit the flag. Devon completed a ‘narrow’ victory of 5 and 4.
Steve Seward’s putter, playing with his partner Garry Runham for Devon, was the difference in the next match. Andrew Cardus-Hall and Rob Hardy blamed the lousy conditions as they lost a tight game 1 down. They had to blame something!
Ben Gliddon and Stephen Butterfield played an even front nine against Ian Neale and David Barker but in turning into the wind on the back nine, Ian Neale and David Barker, playing for Devon, coped with the elements in a better manner and won 4 and 3.
A tight match all the way was looking like a win for Somerset in the next match. Ian Robson led on the front nine and Clive Stilwell woke up on the back nine giving Somerset a 2 hole lead. However Malcolm Jordain and Neil Sear for Devon fought back with a half being the result.
Martin Morgan and Mike usher-Clark were two down after 2 holes in the windy conditions. Somerset struggled to keep up with Bob Beeson and Jeff Laing, mainly because they were in a buggy and Somerset finally lost 2 and 1.
Paul Martin was quite happy at work when he received a phone call from Ian Gover to let him know that the match was today and not Wednesday. He duly arrived in time to take his place on the 1st tee and the Somerset pair then never let up against the Devon pair of Neil Hayman and Brian Rice. Paul, having had no time to think about his round, played magnificently and was the difference as a 4 and 3 victory was recorded for Somerset.
With the players happily in the clubhouse out of the ‘breeze’ a hearty meal was eaten and Devon were presented with the trophy after a 5 to 3 victory.
