Stover Golf Club hosts thrilling start to Devon Winter Series

Stover Golf Club provided a challenging test for some of Devon’s finest golfers as the 2026/27 Masons Kings Devon Golf Winter Series got under way, with home player Sebastian Born finishing a superb second.

Despite the threat of rain and the added challenge of playing from the black tees, competitors turned out in force for the opening event of the popular scratch competition, which returns for its third year.

The Winter Series features six events, with players’ best four scores from the first five competitions, alongside their result in the final event, counting towards the overall standings. The series provides Devon Golf team managers with an opportunity to assess potential squad players while offering competitors high-level competition throughout the winter months.

Prizes are available at each event, with the added incentive of free entry into all 2027 Devon Golf Summer Order of Merit competitions.

The quality of the opening field was evident, with an impressive 35 per cent of competitors playing off handicaps ranging from scratch to plus three. Stover’s black tees ensured scoring would be far from straightforward, and only a handful of players managed to master the course.

Sam Dunn, representing The Warren, produced an outstanding 37 points to claim victory and make the perfect start to his Winter Series campaign.

However, local supporters had plenty to celebrate as Stover’s own Sebastian Born came agonisingly close to taking the honours, finishing just one point behind on 36. Lester Barnes of Churston completed the top three with a score of 35 in what proved to be a closely contested opening event.

Stover also retained the Best Junior prize, thanks to Freddie Harding, who enjoyed an especially memorable day on his home course. In addition to claiming the junior award, Harding recorded two twos, at the seventh and 13th holes, earning himself an impressive collection of Titleist golf balls.

The Best Woman award went to Susie Carr of Teignmouth, who continues to build an outstanding golfing record.

Carr, Devon Golf’s Junior Girls’ Captain, has enjoyed an exceptional season, winning the Devon Women’s Gold Medal and holding the Devon Girls’ Championship title. She also played a key role in Teignmouth’s victorious Still Cup team.

Her achievements have extended well beyond the county, with Carr securing an excellent third-place finish at the England Golf Champion of Champions 2026 event at Woodhall Spa in September.

The opening competition at Stover provided a fitting start to another winter of high-quality golf, with the home club celebrating Born’s runner-up finish and Harding’s junior success.

With the first event completed and the leaderboard already taking shape, attention now turns to the remaining fixtures as Devon’s leading golfers continue their battle for Winter Series honours.