There were close to a hundred disappointed golfers last week-end when overnight rain on Saturday once again rendered the course unplayable and club manager Jonathan Lee found himself, at 6am on a dark, cold Sunday morning, inspecting the course with green staff before making the inevitable decision, writes George Carr.
However, things were brighter just after mid-day and though the competition itself was lost, the annual ceremony of the captains’ drive-in was bathed in bright winter sunshine.
Before a large audience, Ros Eaton, the 2013 brand-new lady captain bravely led the way by ceremonially driving off the first tee with poise and grace. The men’s new captain, John Rockey then followed suit and if poise and grace were not so evident, distance and accuracy could not be faulted. Action was then transferred to the 18th green where last year’s captains putted out in like ceremony - Anne Blackler and Paul Hitchcock putting across the notorious slopes with commendable accuracy, the result being a winning draw in favour of the ladies. And so to the clubhouse, where, after the usual speeches an excellent buffet lunch was served to all (compliments of the incoming captains). New captain John Rockey announced that the aim of the traditional captain’s fund-raising this year would be two-fold. First among these would be directed at helping Dr Duncan Hall and his partners at Sidmouth and Sidford surgeries with extra medical equipment not provided by the NHS. Dr Hall’s address on the subject was clear, interesting and informative.
The clock on the tower of the clubhouse has stood at 20 minutes to four for an embarrassingly long time (or is it 20 to eight?) and the second declared aim of the new captain is to put this matter right.
Ros Eaton, the new lady captain has bravely volunteered to help raise funds for the above causes by jumping from an aeroplane at a great height ( a parachute was mentioned). This courageous feat deserves support from all so don’t be mean when you sign the sponsor sheet.
This weekend, also, saw Alec Salway step down from his three-year presidency and bring to an end his long service to the club which started well before his year as club captain (1998) continuing to the present day. His service to the club over some 17 years has been invaluable and will be hard to match. Trevor Kerridge succeeds as club president - we wish him well.
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