SIX OF THE BEST FOR DEVON SENIORS

SIX OF THE BEST FOR DEVON SENIORS

 Devon's County Seniors scratch Team travelled to St Austell already crowned Champions of the Seniors Channel League but now with the challenge of completing the 'white wash' by winning all six of the League matches in this last of the season away match against Cornwall.

 A very warm and friendly welcome greeted the Devon players on arrival at St Austell Golf Club by the staff there who just went the extra mile in their hospitality towards the team. The course itself founded in 1911 produced several challenging and unique golf holes made more difficult in the strong winds making shot making a test to bring out the best in golf skills.

 With the weather forecast predicting those strong winds coupled with blustery, heavy showers, Devon fielded their strongest team for the match knowing that Cornwall needed a result or very close score of game points to avoid the 'wooden spoon' position.

 The morning foursomes again produced wins for Devon's top two pairings of Tim Aggett and Colin Papworth followed by the Tiverton pairing of Tony Allsopp and Simon Waddington 3/2 and 2/1 respectively. Cornwall's Simon Harper playing in his last match as Captain together with incoming Captain Andy Rowe saw off Paul Vicary and Barrie Keith two down with Simon chipping in over a bunker for a 2 up win. Another defeat for Ward and Lyons by 3/2 followed by a fighting half from Ruth and Eva made the lunchtime score at 2 and a half points each, so honours even going into the afternoon singles.

Devon Captain Rick Pillow put his regular top two out again at 1 and 2 and again they did not disappoint with Aggett winning 5/4 and Allsopp a 4/3. Matches 3 and 4 were closely matched affairs that both went Cornwalls way with Saunton's Paul Vicary losing 3/2 to Dave Kneebone, also losing twice on the day by the same score Richard Ward was out played by Andy Rowe.

Similar to the Gloucestershire match it was a case of ' where are the other points coming from?' Barrie Keith, growing in stature on the County stage, comfortably closed out his match against Cornwall stalwart Paul Clahane 5/4 for another point to add to Devon's tally and edging very slowly towards their winning target of eight points. The battle of the two Simon's went down the last hole with Cornwall and St Austell's Harper getting the win he deserved to end his Captaincy term.

Although Thurlestone's Dave Eva produced a great 3 and 2 win against Colin Ross, it left a big ask of the last of the last three remaining matches out to find the required one and half points for the six out of six match win. Each one of these games ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon with both Lyons and Ruth having to settle with a halved match each. And if there was any doubt....it was Devon Seniors Champion Colin Papworth, clearly loving the finale finish, who produced a spectacular shot into the last green to within six feet of the hole with both teams watching on which his opponent Malcom Edmunds could not match and the win was sealed.

Rick Pillow was thrilled with this result and thanked his team and other squad members who had played throughout the season for their support, determination and dedication to play in the matches. We also thank all the Devon Golf Club members who through their Clubs have supported Devon's County Teams.

We now look forward to being a stronger team squad for the 2018 Season.

Photo of Devon Seniors Team with the Duncan Samuels SCL Salver

Rick Pillow

Devon Seniors Team Captain/Manager

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