DEVON U18s AT FOUR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP AT KNIGHTON HEATH

DevonGolf's U18s played at Knighton Heath Golf Club in Dorset in the U18s South West Four Counties' Championship. The four counties are Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the Knighton Heath course in Dorset is heavily tree-lined with some narrow fairways. The greens are in superb condition and although the white tees measure 6074 with a standard scratch and par of 70, the course presents an excellent test of golf.

Led by Captain Jack Dart (Churston), the format for Day 1 is 18 holes stroke play, teams of 8 with 6 scores to count to decide the Strokeplay Team Champions. In the afternoon play begins for the Matchplay Shield. Day 2 completes play for the Matchplay Shield - 6 singles matches and 1 Foursomes, 2 points for a win and 1 point for a halved match.

The team members are:
Charlie Ashbee (Yelverton)
Donavan Bruce (Saunton)
Jack Dart (Captain - Churston)
Thomas Hunt (Saunton)
George Inch (Thurlestone)
Miles McMurdo (East Devon)
Noah Mulligan (Thurlestone)
Dion Page-Dove (Dainton Park)

The playing conditions on the morning of day 1,18 holes of stroke play, were quite brutal with storm warnings and the wind and rain already making it as miserable as could be. The ball was moving on the green and decisions about whether play should continue were ongoing throughout the day. Jack Dart (PH -1) played with Zac Mudford (PH -2, Lyme Regis). The conditions took their toll with Jack finishing with a gross 80 to Zac's 77. DevonGolf fielded 4 U16 team members, Charlie Ashbee (PH 2), Donavan Bruce (PH 7), George Inch (PH 4) and Noah Mulligan (PH 4) who showed great determination in very difficult conditions - these are boys coming through the ranks who are showing great promise for the future.

In the stroke play 18 holes, George Inch (PH 4) finished top of the Devon field, tied 2nd overall, with a gross 75. Noah Mulligan wasn't far behind, T7, with a gross 79. Jack Dart was just 1 stroke behind Noah and the Devon team finished 2nd to Dorset, just 5 strokes behind. Full results click here

The weather didn't abate for the afternoon's matchplay against Somerset. George showed great promise as he kept his head up in appalling conditions, his attitude and body language a credit to himself and the team. He was 4 down after 11, coming back to halve the match and take a point for the team. Jack Dart also halved his match and Miles McMurdo bought home an excellent 2 points as he finished his match 2 up. Charlie Ashbee lost 3 & 2 and Thomas Hunt fared less well as he lost his match. Dion Page-Dove and Donavan Bruce paired up for the Foursomes and held out to bring home another precious 2 points with a win 1 up.

Thursday morning's matchplay on day 2 saw Devon v Cornwall with Jack, Charlie, Thomas, Miles, George and Noah playing the singles. Yesterday's triumphant pairing of Dion and Donavan were again playing the Foursomes, a pairing to applaud as they brought home another 2 points wining their match 4-3. Charlie won 3-2 and Noah 4-2, a total of 6 points for the team making Cornwall the winners with 8 points.

The final matchplay of the competition was Devon v Dorset. Charlie halved his match, Thomas won 1-up for 2 points and Miles 2-1 for another 2 points, a total of 5. Again, a loss against Dorset's 9 points but a competition in which our boys showed great golfing skill and determination. 

Congratulations to Dorset, winners of the U18 Four Counties' Strokeplay Championship and Somerset who won the U18 Four Counties' Matchplay Shield.

DevonGolf's Head Coach Gary Milne said, "I am so proud of the team, their attitude and mind set was first class! We, as a group, have so many positives to take from the tournament despite the matchplay results. We are a young team with a big future!"

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