Finals Day Results

I am not an early morning person but when the DCLGA final’s day is at Saunton & I live the other end of Devon, needs must. The reward was a drive over the moors seeing the sun come up, mists disperse and to arrive at Saunton Golf Club on a glorious sunny morning.

I was met by the Lady Captain Gina, who had kindly bagged me a great space to park & unload - any closer & I would have been in the kitchen. The Fingle Glen ladies were already tucking into breakfast - but no sign of the purple sweaters of Okehampton. On cue my phone rang & it was their team captain assuring me the mini bus was at Braunton & they were only 10 minutes away.

Soon the club house was busy with the two teams, Saunton ladies turning up for spotters duties, County Captain Alison, Vice Captain Angie, Competition Secretary Tania and our two referees for the day Lesley Pascoe & Chris Longden. Tania had brought the all important tablecloth - just as well as my DCLGA flag was already up the pole & could not be used in lieu of said cloth! The sun was streaming in & the view out over the 18th hole was stunning - the course was in great condition.

The first final was the Sheelah Creasy Bowl between the 2015 winners Okehampton and Fingle Glen. Between supporters and helpers from Saunton we had a score board carrier for each match - a great help for the referees keeping score - and allowing Angie to update our Twitter feed! It was therefore a large group of ladies & gentlemen who made the walk over to the first tee of the East Course. There we were greeted by a strange occurrence. Roughly ever 90 seconds a spurt of water shot up onto the edge of the tee box - luckily far enough forward not to hit the ladies. The source - an erratic sprinkler head that had a mind of it’s own. Once we assessed the timing so it would not be a distraction to play, each lady was announced, given a souvenir ball marker from Alison - and off they drove.

Back to the clubhouse to prepare for the next final - the President’s Trophy between Okehampton and Holsworthy. Yet more purple sweaters mingling with the pale blue of Holsworthy. Time for a quick breakfast roll and to set up the presentation table with Tania’s help.  Central to the trophies was a fantastic flower arrangement done by Ann Wallace using flowers from her garden. Ann had also done an arrangement for the entrance hall & both were getting a lot of comments form the ladies.

Results were slow to come in. An update from the referees gave us a picture of quite a bit of searching for balls in Saunton’s thick rough that soon punished any wayward shots. When they did come in, the first two results were match 2 a win to Okehampton 4&3 then immediately followed by a win for Fingle Glen in match 4 by 6&5. Fingle Glen edged ahead by taking match 3 - 4&2. Match 1 was all square as they came up the 18th. Both approach shots held on the back of the green but Fingle Glen made the better putt to take the match and put themselves ahead with 3 wins. The news from the referees was that Okehampton were up in matches 6 & 7 so it was still possible for them to win. However, Fingle were ahead in match 4 and it was this match that was to prove the winner for Fingle giving them the trophy. 

While the Fingle Glen ladies were celebrating, the Okehampton ladies were back on the course to support their President’s Team. First blood went to Okehampton with a win for their last match out of 7&6. However, this was not a time for complacency as the next 2 results gave wins for Holsworthy in match 2 (4&3) and match 1 (2&1). It was as we would expect - a tight match between two good teams. Okehampton took match 5 by 3&2 to level and just to prove how tight it was each team took one more win - it was level at three wins each. By now the 18th fairway was a mass of purple and pale blue as the final match approached the green. It went to the final putt to secure the win for Okehampton - and with it the President’s trophy.

While all this excitement had been going on the final of the Still Cup between Torquay and Exeter had got underway. Both clubs had a band of loyal supporters including for Torquay one of our Past President’s Maureen Harris & for Exeter Josie Bruce, a remarkable lady who has supported the DCLGA for many years and was looking forward to celebrating her 94th birthday the next day. If that wasn’t enough - she still plays golf!  It was fantastic to see the ladies drive. As one of the supporters whispered - “in my dreams”as they ignored the dog-leg, went straight for the green, clearing all obstacles. DCLGA President Ann had arrived ready for the presentation & was enjoying the golf. This was going to be another close final.

After what seemed an age, the first result came in - a win for Torquay in match 3 by 5&4. Next match went to Exeter to level the score - this was match 1 by 3&2. Waiting in the clubhouse for the yellow & green colours to appear the news came Torquay had won match 2 by 3&2 putting them in the lead. The state of play in matches 4 and 5 gave Torquay the lead in match 4 - but Exeter in match 5. Very tight as they approached the 17th & 18th holes. Watching match 4 play their approach shots saw Torquay play from the slight rough - but a fantastic shot that held the green & got a well deserved round of applause. Exeter were in the bunker - but a great shot put them on the green - but slightly further away - so still them to play. Torquay were 1 up at this point so Exeter needed to win to force a continuation down the 19th. This was not to be as Torquay made a great putt which saw them shaking hands - giving Torquay the win - and the Still Cup Trophy. Their first win since 1966.

All that was left was the presentation. Saunton Captain Gina started with a warm welcome to all ladies & set the scene with thanks to her lady spotters, the green staff, caterers & Liz & Russell in the office for all their help. Indeed, thanks I was to repeat as all at Saunton had done a great job for the DCLGA ladies. Gina handed over to Alison, who congratulated Josie on her birthday & remembered how much she had enjoyed playing for Tiverton Still Cup team in 2015 - in her words probably the best day of golf in my life!  I am sure this was echoed by the various teams as they came up for their trophies, made their own votes of thanks & had their photo taken with our President Ann as she presented each trophy. A fitting end to a day of great golf.

For me - it was my last final’s day. As well as my thanks to all at Saunton, I would also like to thank all my fellow committee members over the past three years & especially my three Captains, Barbara Cummings, Sue Ackland & Alison Hilton. It has been a pleasure to work with them all. I have loved meeting all you ladies & wish you all the very best for golf in 2017 and beyond. Finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Rosie Burnham who has stepped up to take on  the role of ICMS next year. Rosie, who plays for Teignmouth, came to Thurlestone to help at President’s quarter final day, within two minutes was doing cards & helping with the event - ie took to it like a duck to water. I am sure you will join with me in welcoming her & giving her the same warm support you have shown me.

See you on a golf course soon

Pam St Leger

Still Cup Winners 2016 - Torquay 

President's Trophy Winners 2016 -  Okehampton

Sheelah Creasy Winners 2016  -  Fingle Glen

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