WGC v Devon

Wednesday 26 July – a very wet morning for us as we set out on the long drive down to The Warren Golf Club at Dawlish to play our long-standing friends from Devon.

Fortunately, the forecast proved to be correct as the weather improved on the drive and we had a very pleasant afternoon for the match.

Captain David was still defending his  unbeaten WGC team record but the odds were stacked against us – a links course that few of us had played before and holes where, unless you had advice, it was sometimes difficult to envisage where the fairway was, let alone hit it.

Nevertheless, every challenge is an adventure and after lunch and announcement of the fourball pairings, the matches set off down the first.

The greens were in fine order and fast enough and with enough slopes to make you wary. Fairways were typically tight links so precise contact had to be made and, of course, bunkers, ponds, gorse and heather awaited the stray golf balls – and there were a few.

The Warren is celebrating it's 125th year and although it is not a long course, accuracy is paramount.

Captain David and Neil Patch playing against Devon Captain Bob Webber and The Warren Past Captain, Tony Rooke set the WGC standard by not only running out comfortable winners, but also that local knowledge was not everything. Alas, nobody was listening in the matches behind as the next four matches were immediately lost, as WGC went 4 -1 down very quickly.

At this stage, sitting in the bar enjoying his victory drink, Captain David was feeling that his undefeated run was about to be ended with a heavy defeat.

But, never say never, the 6th match won, the seventh match won, and the eighth match, much to the relief of David and to the surprise of Devon, was also won – so, once again an overall half, and the trophy retained by WGC.

A sumptuous three course meal followed with toasts and speeches as ever from David and the Devon Captain, Bob Webber.

And, then it was back to the cars for the drive up the M5 or A3030 to the distant lands of Wiltshire fresh with confirmation yet again, what great fun these WGC matches are.

My personal thanks to all who played and gave me an easy job as Match Secretary.

Next year's Devon match is at Wrag Barn on Wednesday 18 July.

Jim Murdoch