SOUTH WEST WOMEN'S INTER-COUNTIES AT CUMBERWELL PARK GOLF CLUB

DevonGolf Women's Team Manager Vicky Holloway reports:

This year’s South West Women’s Inter-Counties was played at Cumberwell Park, Wiltshire, 2nd-6th July. The six south-west counties met to play a series of round robin matches comprising of 2 x foursomes and 3 x single games.

Back: Wendy Stanbury, Rosie Burnham, Lorna Elliott (Assistant Manager), Vicky Holloway (Team Manager), Pam St Leger (President)
Front: Lauren McGinnis (Churston), Abby Turner (Okehampton), Susie Carr (Exminster), Carys Morris (Portmore), Chloe Hall (Exeter)
Gudrun Nolan (East Devon), Sophie Page (East Devon), Emily Morey (East Devon), Liz Bird (RND)

This is my first year as the DevonGolf Women's Team Manager. During the winter I have trialled a different approach in team preparation, just playing matchplay practice so I could have solid pairings ready for the foursomes. Some new pairings evolved - Chloe Hall and Abby Turner, Liz Bird and Lauren McGinnis and Emily Morey and Sophie Page - plus the established pairs including Carys Morris making for a stronger team this year to hopefully get early points on the board. Gudrun Nolan and Susie Carr played in the singles matches.

Day 1 saw a shaky start in the morning against Cornwall losing 4-1, although there was a good foursomes 4-3 win by Sophie Page and Emily Morey to start the pairings off.

In the afternoon Devon met Dorset. Our first pairing of Carys Morris and Lauren McGinnis earned a really well fought half against the experienced pairing of Honor Johnston and Ellen Mans from Dudsbury GC. Unfortunately, Devon were only able to pick up 1 more point from Gudrun Nolan in the singles who played some great golf to beat Alice Webb from Parkstone GC resulting in a 1½ -3½ defeat.

They say, "Never give up" and the next day the Devon women came back with a new determination and had a fabulous 5-0 victory against our hosts, Wiltshire. The team were buzzing so the team remained exactly the same as in the morning ready to take on the might of Gloucestershire. The team were led out by Lauren McGinnis and Liz Bird who claimed the first match with a terrific 7-5 win, quickly followed by Chloe Hall and Abby Turner winning their match by 5-4. Gudrun Nolan and Emily Morey continued with their winning streak in the singles earning 2 more points for the team. Sophie Page met a very strong Megan Bartlett in the last singles match to lose 3-1. This day is now going to be remembered as "Triumphant Tuesday" - a fantastic 9 out of 10 games won in a single day! These great results from Devon earned them 3rd place in the table after 2 days.

On the final morning Devon met Somerset - last year's winners. Liz Bird and Lauren McGinnis continued their undefeated run taking the first point of the day with a 4-2 win. Chloe Hall and Abby Turner fought bravely but lost 3-2 to the experienced pairing of Ellen Reakes and Frankie Dezis. In the singles it was a nail-biting match between Gudrun Nolan and Jess Haines which ended in a very friendly half. Unfortunately, the power of the Somerset singles took the last two games and a 3½-1½ defeat for Devon.

All in all, the Devon women’s team should be extremely proud of their performance. They improved their standings in the table, 4th this year from last in 2023, and new partnerships are looking great for the future. In 2024 the SWWIC will be held at Perranporth GC in Cornwall and Devon hopes are high and will strive to move onward and upwards.

Obviously so much work is done behind the scenes by volunteers - Wendy Stanbury proved invaluable tweeting our results and also a star caddy. Pam St Leger, our President, took her turn starting the teams, caddying and being a source of information when needed. Lorna Elliott (Assistant Manager) who trialled for the squad  but did not make the final team brought laughter, enthusiasm and great support to me when decisions had to be made regarding team selection. Last but not least, thanks to Rosie Burnham who as Welfare Officer looked after everyone's needs, and for her sponsorship, caddying duties and keeping me sane in my most stressful moments! Many thanks to the parents who helped out - Donna and Steve Morris, Teresa and Andy Carr, Mike and Karen Morey and Abby Turner's parents.

My week was amazing and with everyone's hard work and support it was one of my most memorable weeks of my life and I can’t wait for next year at Perranporth Golf Club, Cornwall!

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