JUNIOR GIRLS BATTLE FOR WESSEX SALVER AT HONITON GOLF CLUB

Honiton Golf Club provided the stage on Sunday as 48 of the South West’s brightest young golfers went head-to-head for county honours in the Wessex Salver. With teams of eight split across two handicap divisions (10–18 HI and 18–36 HI), the Stableford format called for the best three scores in each division to count towards the overall team total.

Division 1 – Devon Make a Strong Start
Devon’s Division 1 quartet of Sothea Kasparis (Torquay), Martha Massingham (Thurlestone), Mia Johnstone-Davis (Torquay), and Tommasina Miali (Saunton & Libbaton) delivered a solid performance in the morning sun.

Kasparis set the pace with 33 points, good enough for 9th spot overall, while Johnstone-Davis added 31 to the tally. The standout performance came from Massingham, who posted 35 points to finish 3rd on countback. Miali rounded out the team effort with 27 points. Their combined top-three scores gave Devon 99 points, putting them in early contention behind Gloucestershire’s impressive 104.

Division 2 – A Tougher Battle
In Division 2, Devon fielded debutant Rebecca Robb (Portmore) alongside sisters Emily and Freya Goddard (Royal North Devon) and Gabby Whiteway (Okehampton). Freya opened with 25 points before Emily produced a strong 33 for 8th place overall. Robb handled the pressure of her first county outing superbly, carding 32 on unfamiliar ground.

The team’s momentum was hampered, however, when Whiteway was forced to retire after twisting her ankle on the 14th. Despite the setback, Devon fought hard but with Dorset’s Emma Bailey storming to a division-topping 40 points, the team slipped to last in Division 2 with 90 points.

Final Standings
When the scores were tallied across both divisions, Gloucestershire emerged dominant with a combined 209, comfortably clear of Dorset in second (195). Devon, despite a strong Division 1 showing, were unable to recover from Division 2 difficulties, finishing 5th overall on 189.

A Showcase of Young Talent
The event, blessed with perfect playing conditions after last year’s cancellation, highlighted the depth of talent across the South West. Congratulations go to Gloucestershire whose players handled the Honiton course superbly, despite many seeing it for the first time.

Devon’s coaching and support team—Paul Cloke, referee Lorna Brown, Competition Manager Wendy Stanbury and Performance Director Tim Aggett—were praised for their behind-the-scenes efforts. And with Honiton Golf Club’s staff providing immaculate greens and warm hospitality, the day was a showcase of both golf and sportsmanship.

As Devon look ahead, the message is clear: the county has a strong core of emerging players, and with performances like Massingham’s and Robb’s debut, the future looks bright.

   Hannah Stephens
   Girls' U18s Team Manager

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