MEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP & TROPHY WINNERS ACROSS THE BOARD 2022

DevonGolf Men's County Champion
54 of Devon's top golfers competed on Saturday at the magnificent Saunton Golf Club (West) for the chance to become the DevonGolf Men's County Champion 2022. Representatives from 23 clubs across the county played on Saturday for the DevonGolf Gold Medal whilst looking to qualify in one of the top 8 spots to secure their place in Sunday's matchplay rounds. The winner of the Gold Medal was Peter Howell (Exeter), finishing the 36 holes with a 5 under par 137 which included a 64 in round 1.

The top 4 from the day went through to the matchplay stages for the County Championship on the Sunday and the 5th-8th places playing for the Wish Slater Salver. Peter Howell (Exeter), Lewis Beer (Exeter), Neil James (Royal North Devon), Eliot Baker (Tiverton) took the first 4 spots in the Championship and James Pickard (Sidmouth), Jack Jeffery (Exeter), Stanley White (Saunton) and Andrew Norman (Saunton) found themselves playing for the Wish Slater Salver. Full results of Gold Medal click here

It was a bit of a struggle for a while but, in the end, class told as Eliot Baker's excellent year continued and he became the DevonGolf Men's County Champion. Baker only just made it in into Sunday's matchplay stages on Saunton's West course after a thrilling play-off. With only the top 4 making it through to the semi-finals for the County Championship, it took a 4-hole play-off against James Pickard to qualify to play in the Championship draw. They played the first and second in a loop, a run of pars was broken at the second (at the second time of asking) when Pickard missed a 10-foot par and Baker was through. 

Having made it to the Sunday matchplay stages, Baker promptly beat top seed Peter Howell 6-5 in the semi-final. Next up for the final was Royal North Devon Golf Club's Neil James who had a magic comeback in his semi-final from 3 down after 9 to beat Lewis Beer from Exeter by 1 hole.

With Neil James and Eliot Baker lining up for the final, the scene was set for some excellent golf. Early holes went back and forth until a 45-footer at the 6th kick started a run which took Baker 3-up through 8. He then eagled the 10th, holing out from 20 feet to get 4-up. Both players struggled at the 12th where a bogey was enough for Baker to extend his lead still further. Still battling, James got 1 back thanks to an excellent 20-foot par putt on 13. After that, Baker closed things out with a birdie on the tough par 4 from 15 feet. 

DevonGolf Men's Wish Slater Salver
Played for by those finishing Saturday's 36 holes in places 5-8, Jack Jeffery (Exeter) played Stanley White (Saunton). Home advantage was not enough for White to take the win, losing to Jeffery 5-3. Andrew Norman (Saunton) played James Pickard (Sidmouth) and, again, home advantage was not quite enough with Pickard winning by 1-hole, which by their own admission was a scrappy affair.

The Wish Slater final between Jeffery and Pickard was keenly fought and nothing could separate them after 18 holes. Pickard saw himself in his second play-off of the weekend and unfortunately for him the same result occurred on the 2nd extra hole, which led Pickard to lose to a par. This result gave Jeffery the Wish Slater Salver which, ironically, he had defended after winning it in 2021 at East Devon Golf Club.

DevonGolf Men's Champion Club
The 36-hole stroke play scores on Saturday counted towards the DevonGolf Men's Champion Club event which was won by Exeter Golf & Country Club. Lewis Beer, Jack Jeffery and Fred Bishop combined to win by 4 shots ahead of Saunton Golf Club, going forward to represent Devon in the England Golf Champion Club finals in the autumn.

Qualifying scores (par 71)
1) Peter Howell (Exeter Golf & CC) 64, 73, 137 (-5)
2) Lewis Beer (Exeter Golf & CC) 70, 70, 140 (-2)
3) Neil James (Royal North Devon) 64, 77, 141 (-1)
4= James Pickard (Sidmouth) 71, 71, 142 (Level)*
4= Eliot Baker (Tiverton) 70, 72, 142 (Level)* 
For full scores click here
* Play-off to decide fourth semi-finalist won by Eliot Baker

Brockman Trophy
The Brockman Trophy is awarded for the best 36-hole scratch score for a player U22 in the Gold Medal. The winner this year was Peter Howell (Exeter) aged 21.

The President's Trophy
The winner of the President's Trophy, played for on the Sunday, and awarded for the best scratch stableford (Cooper Cup) and handicap stableford score (President's Trophy). Both trophies were won by Jay Scott (Tiverton). Full scores click here

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