MASONS KINGS WINTER SERIES 2 - SAUNTON GOLF CLUB

The Masons Kings Winter Series 2 was held at Saunton Golf Club on 9th November. The Winter Series is in its second year, generously sponsored again by Masons Kings, and features the best of the best of Devon's golfers vying for Order of Merit points over 6 Stableford scratch competitions. Points from 10-1 are awarded to the top 10 golfers in each competition, the best 4 scores from the first 5 competitions go forward to the 6th and final round - where points are awarded as follows: 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. The winner of the Winter Series overall will be eligible to receive free entry into the 2026 Summer Order of Merit events.

Men, women and juniors with handicaps of 5.4 or less are eligible to play and, if full, higher handicap players may be balloted out. It's a hotly contested series!

Lee Marels (Dartmouth) came to Saunton with 8 points on the board from Round 1 at Stover, along with Ben Sclater (Warren), Chris Greenberry (Stover), junior Jake Sevran-Smalley (Dartmouth), Ryan Moore (Bigbury), Chris Gawman (Tavistock), Sam Dunn (Warren) and Mark Snape (Saunton) all of whom brought points to this round - and all hoping to win some more.

The full field of 60 players were sent off the first tee on the East Course by Jon Funnell from Masons Kings. Like the players, Jon endured all weathers yet was also there to greet each group on the 18th green - and all with a smile on his face. Top man!

Saunton Golf Club did DevonGolf proud with their magnificent course and hospitality. Thanks to Liz in the office and Course Marshall Liz whose help was invaluable and much appreciated.

Scoring was not easy in the wind (a light breeze by Saunton's standards) and intermittent heavy showers. There was much anticipation as players and spectators waited to see local boy Eliot Baker (Tiverton) tee off and what his final score would be. Walker Cup player Eliot (+6) has an impressive resume and was part of the GB&I team that won the 2025 St Andrew's Trophy. Eliot also led England to success in the 2025 Men’s Home Internationals, finishing as the team's highest points scorer. It was a big day for junior Archie Griffiths (Sidmouth) who, alongside Chris Greenberry (Stover), were Eliot's playing partners. 

First out was Mark Snape, the only Saunton player, posting 34 points. That proved hard to match until Stover's Mike Copperwhite also posted 34 - but scores in the 30's were elusive until the final quarter of the field saw Eliot Baker return 36 points. Was it all over? Not quite. In the penultimate group Dan Rosevear (Thurlestone) also posted 36 points to beat Eliot on count-back.

The top junior of the day was William Hoskin (Thurlestone) with 31 points and the top woman was Hannah Reynolds (Teignmouth) with 30 points.

For all results click here

DevonGolf's Men's Team Manager Sam Dunn was the brains behind this competition series and, as well as playing, did much of the set up at Saunton. Wendy Stanbury, Competition Manager, did the administration on the day and the behind the scenes organisation was down to DG's Operations Manager Paul Cloke. 

Going into Round 3 on 14th December at Tavistock Golf Club the top players in the Masons Kings Winter Series 2025 are:

The next competition in the Masons Kings Winter Series is at Tavistock on 14th December 2025.

   Wendy Stanbury
   Competitions Manager

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