Devon golfers shine in SW Amateur Championships

The best amateur male golfers in the South-West descended on East Devon Golf Club in Budleigh Salterton for a mixture of match play and stroke play competitions.

2024 is the Centenary of the South-Western Counties Golf Association and this year’s golf week started with a celebration buffet dinner attended by the President and CEO of England Golf, representatives from the SWGCA, East Devon Golf Club and the Counties.

A good evening was had by all with England Golf presenting the SW with a memento of the achievement and the SWCGA presented both England Golf and the Club with a Centenary Plaque.

The Inter-Counties Match Play Shield was keenly contested over five days of mostly sunny but cold weather, on a course that was in tremendous condition. The golfers enjoyed the challenge and there were three holes in one during the week.

Devon took full advantage of being on a home course and won all their matches to take the Match Play Shield from Wiltshire, who finished second. This makes Devon the winners at both ends of the Centenary, having won the first Inter-Counties week in 1924 at Royal North Devon Golf Club.

Tiverton Golf Clubs Jay Scott was the winner the Clifford Burden Trophy for the most match wins in the week.

The South-West Amateur Championships took centre stage on Tuesday with two rounds of individual stroke play. Rob MacGregor of Cornwall took the honours in the morning with a fine 68 two under par, one shot ahead of Gloucestershire’s Nick Day.

Nick went on to card a 68 for his second round to give him a 3 under par total of 137 and the Amateur Championship. A very worthy Champion and the only player to finish under par for the Championship.

The England Golf County Qualifier was a real battle between last year’s winners Gloucestershire and Cornwall. Cornwall led by eight shots after the first round but credit to Gloucestershire, who turned it around in the afternoon to win by eight shots overall. Cornwall will go to the English County Finals at Whittington Heath Golf Club in September.

Speaking at the end of the week, Geoff Green, SWGCA President, congratulated the winners and thanked the Club and its members for making it a wonderful week: “Thank you to everyone at East Devon Golf Club for making this a wonderful week. To the members for giving up their fine course for the week; the volunteers, marshals, referees and starters for taking the time and effort to help the games move along smoothly; Paul Newcombe and his great team of greenkeepers for presenting a fantastic course; and to the bar and catering team in Restaurant 19 for doing a great job of keeping everyone fed and watered.”

East Devon Club Captain, Bill Gott said: “We have loved hosting this week and have been impressed by the spirit in which the matches have been played, friendly and respectful while still competitive. You have graced our links with your play.”

Sam Dunn, winning Devon Captain, added: “Thanks to everyone involved in the Counties for helping their teams this week. To the East Devon members for giving up their Club for the week and special thanks to Paul Newcombe for his extensive knowledge and advice on how to play the course.”