DEVONGOLF
PRESIDENT’S TROPHY QUARTER FINALS – ROYAL NORTH DEVON GOLF CLUB - 9th August 2019
After watching the weather forecast anxiously all week and after lengthy consultations with our host club, the decision was made to go ahead with the quarter finals of the President’s Trophy in the hope that the worst of the weather battering the South West would miss us. Eight teams gathered at Royal North Devon to battle it out in challenging conditions with occasional very heavy showers and an increasingly problematic wind, but we also had plenty of warm sunshine to keep our spirits up.
DevonGolf 's Lady President Carolyn Maynard stayed out on the first tee for a full 4 hours to send all the teams on their way and offer a smile and encouragement to all.
The first match was Ilfracombe against Woodbury Park and the rain was not kind to our early starters who played the first holes in a heavy downpour. This was a close match with both teams securing two wins each before Ilfracombe won a third and then fourth game to take the match win.
Match 2 was between Dainton Park and Tiverton. This was another closely fought match with the first 6 games ending 3 apiece so it was all down to game 7, which Dainton Park won to take their team to victory.
Match 3 was between Wrangaton and Saunton. The Saunton ladies played a strong game in worsening wind conditions to take the first 4 game wins and therefore the match. The final match was between Torquay and Staddon Heights, with the Staddon ladies better able to deal with the weather and secure 4 wins to take the match.
Our winners will meet at the semi-finals of the President’s Trophy at Downes Crediton on Thursday 5th September. Dainton Park will play Staddon Heights at 10.30am and Ilfracombe will play Saunton at 11.30am.
My thanks to Royal North Devon Golf Club for hosting us, to Lady Captain Tania for her help and advice beforehand and on the day. Thanks to the ladies who helped with ball spotting, the Pro Shop staff and to the bar and catering staff who looked after us so well. Thanks also to the greens staff who offered advice and reassurance that the course would hold up and the weather would not beat us - and they were absolutely right. My grateful thanks also to DevonGolf President Carolyn and Terry and Tony for refereeing.
Congratulations to all the ladies taking part who played great, competitive golf in a very friendly atmosphere – with the excitement of some very close games and some rather dramatic weather thrown in for good measure.
Rosie Burnham
DevonGolf Ladies' Inter-Club Match Secretary